不耻下问
- Literal
- not ashamed to ask those below
- Figurative
- To not be ashamed to ask questions of or seek advice from those beneath you in knowledge, age or rank; to be humble enough to learn from anyone.
Where does 不耻下问 come from?
Kong Yu, a high official (dafu) of the state of Wei, was given the posthumous honorific title "Wen" (the Cultured) after his death. The disciple Zigong, who did not think it fully deserved, asked Confucius why Kong Wenzi merited such a lofty name. Confucius replied that he was quick-minded and fond of learning, and that he "was not ashamed to ask those of lower rank and lesser learning" (不耻下问), which is why he was called "the Cultured." With this phrase Confucius praised the humility of someone who pursues knowledge without caring about appearing inferior. From there it came to praise anyone willing to learn from anybody.
Source (出处): 《论语·公冶长》
How is 不耻下问 used? Two examples
- 他虽然是经理,但遇到不懂的事还是会不耻下问,向新来的同事请教。
Although he is the manager, when he runs into something he doesn't understand he isn't ashamed to ask and seeks advice from the new colleague.
- 想把中文学好,就要不耻下问,多问老师和同学。
If you want to learn Chinese well, you shouldn't be ashamed to ask and should question teachers and classmates often.