不苟言笑

bùgǒuyánxiào

idiom #35,996

Meanings

Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu píngshí bùgǒuyánxiào, dàn xuéshí yuānbó.

This old professor is usually serious and reserved, but deeply learned.

Tā yíxiàng bùgǒuyánxiào, tóngshìmen dōu juéde tā nányǐ jiējìn.

He has always been stern and reserved; his colleagues all find him hard to approach.

history

Rooted in 《礼记·曲礼上》: 不登高，不临深，不苟訾，不苟笑 — the Book of Rites' injunction that a gentleman does not joke or criticize carelessly.

usage

Neutral-to-positive in tone: implies gravitas and self-discipline, not grumpiness. Typically describes elders, scholars, or serious professionals.

不 bù

苟 gǒu

言 yán

笑 xiào