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

HSK 2

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.

HSK 7-9

这位年轻棋手连赢三局，真是后生可畏。

Zhèwèi niánqīng qíshǒu lián yíng sān jú, zhēnshì hòushēngkěwèi.

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

HSK 7-9

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.

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