为人师表

為人師表

wéirénshībiǎo

idiom #50,949

Meanings

1 to be a role model for others
2 to serve as a worthy example as a teacher
3 an exemplary model in character and learning

Characters

to be; to act as

Examples

老师应当为人师表，注意自己的言行。

Lǎoshī yīngdāng wéirénshībiǎo, zhùyì zìjǐ de yánxíng.

A teacher should be a model for others and mind their own words and actions.

他一生为人师表，深受学生爱戴。

Tā yīshēng wéirénshībiǎo, shēn shòu xuéshēng àidài.

His whole life he was a model teacher, dearly loved by his students.

作为党员干部，更要为人师表。

Zuòwéi dǎngyuán gànbù, gèng yào wéirénshībiǎo.

As a party cadre he had all the more reason to set an example.

Tips

history

From 《北齐书·王昕书》: Yang Yin praised Wang Xin's virtue and learning "以为人之师表" — fit to serve as a model teacher for others. The phrase became the standard term of praise for educators.

register

Formal, morally weighty. Reserved for teachers, senior officials, and respected elders. 师表 = 师 (teacher) + 表 (model/surface to imitate).

Stroke Order

为 wèi

人 rén

师 shī

表 biǎo