忠言逆耳

zhōngyán-nì'ěr

idiom

Meanings

HSK 3

忠言逆耳，他的话虽然难听，但都是为你好。

Zhōngyán-nì'ěr, tā de huà suīrán nántīng, dàn dōu shì wèi nǐ hǎo.

Honest advice is hard to hear: what he said wasn't pleasant, but it was all for your own good.

HSK 5

当领导的要明白忠言逆耳的道理，多听听反对的声音。

Dāng lǐngdǎo de yào míngbai zhōngyán-nì'ěr de dàoli, duō tīngting fǎnduì de shēngyīn.

Leaders should understand that good advice is unpleasant to hear, and listen more to opposing voices.

usage

Short form of the saying 良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行: good medicine is bitter but cures illness, and honest advice grates on the ear but helps you act well.

忠 zhōng

言 yán

逆 nì

耳 ěr