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士为知己者死

士為知己者死
shìwèizhījǐzhěsǐ
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 a true man will die for the one who appreciates him
  2. 2 one lays down his life for someone who truly knows him
  3. 3 (lit.) a gentleman dies for the one who understands him

Examples

他说士为知己者死，老板赏识他，他再辛苦也愿意。
Tā shuō shì wèi zhījǐ zhě sǐ, lǎobǎn shǎngshí tā, tā zài xīnkǔ yě yuànyì.
He said a man dies for the one who truly knows him — since the boss appreciates him, no hardship is too much.
古人讲士为知己者死，今天的我们也该为真正懂自己的人全力以赴。
Gǔrén jiǎng shì wèi zhījǐ zhě sǐ, jīntiān de wǒmen yě gāi wèi zhēnzhèng dǒng zìjǐ de rén quánlì yǐ fù.
The ancients said a gentleman dies for the one who understands him — we too should give our all for those who truly see us.

Tips

history
From 《战国策·赵策一》 (Strategies of the Warring States, Zhao). The assassin Yu Rang (豫让), swearing to avenge his lord Zhi Bo after the house of Zhao destroyed him, declared 『士为知己者死，女为悦己者容』— 'a gentleman dies for the one who knows him; a woman makes herself beautiful for the one who delights in her.' He swallowed charcoal to ruin his voice and painted his skin with lacquer to disguise himself, pursuing the vendetta to his own death.
usage
Often paired with its rhyming counterpart 『女为悦己者容』. In modern use the gender pairing has faded — the first half alone stands for extreme loyalty to a mentor, patron, or benefactor.

Stroke Order

士 shì
为 wèi
知 zhī
己 jǐ
者 zhě
死 sǐ