后生可畏

後生可畏

hòushēng-kěwèi

idiom

Meanings

1 the young are to be respected
2 the next generation will surpass us
3 rising talent inspires awe

Characters

born / generation

to respect / be awed by

Examples

这位年轻棋手连赢三局，真是后生可畏。

Zhèwèi niánqīng qí shǒu lián yíng sān jú, zhēnshì hòushēngkěwèi.

This young chess player won three games in a row — truly the next generation deserves respect.

看了他们的作品，让人感叹后生可畏。

Kàn le tāmen de zuòpǐn, ràng rén gǎntàn hòushēngkěwèi.

Seeing their work, one has to admit the younger generation is formidable.

后生可畏，我们这些老人要加油了。

Hòushēngkěwèi, wǒmen zhèxiē lǎorén yào jiāyóu le.

The young are formidable; we old-timers had better step up.

Tips

history

From 《论语·子罕》: Confucius said 后生可畏, 焉知来者之不如今也 — 'The young are to be respected; how do we know the next generation won't surpass the present?' A famously generous teacher's view of the young.

Stroke Order

后 hòu

生 shēng

可 kě

畏 wèi