不耻下问

不恥下問

bùchǐ-xiàwèn

idiom HSK 7

Meanings

1 not ashamed to ask those below oneself
2 willing to learn from anyone, regardless of status

Characters

below; lower (in status)

Literally 'not ashamed to ask those below' — willing to seek knowledge from people of lower rank or age.

Examples

好的领导者不耻下问。

Hǎo de lǐngdǎozhě bùchǐ-xiàwèn.

Good leaders are not ashamed to ask those below them.

学习就要不耻下问。

Xuéxí jiù yào bùchǐ-xiàwèn.

When learning, you should be willing to ask anyone.

他虽然是教授，但总是不耻下问。

Tā suīrán shì jiàoshòu, dàn zǒngshì bùchǐ-xiàwèn.

Although he's a professor, he's always willing to learn from others.

Tips

history

This idiom comes from the Analerta of Confucius (论语). When asked why a minister received the posthumous title '文' (cultured), Confucius replied: 敏而好学，不耻下问 — 'he was quick to learn and not ashamed to ask those below him.' In hierarchical ancient China, asking a subordinate for knowledge required genuine humility.

Stroke Order

不 bù

耻 chǐ

下 xià

问 wèn