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有朋自远方来

有朋自遠方來
Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 to have friends come from afar
  2. 2 used as a warm welcome to visitors from a distance

Examples

HSK 6
北京奥运会以有朋自远方来为开幕主题。
Běijīng àoyùnhuì yǐ yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái wéi kāimù zhǔtí.
The Beijing Olympics used 'friends from afar' as its opening theme.
HSK 7-9
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎！欢迎各位朋友光临。
Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, búyìlèhū! Huānyíng gèwèi péngyou guānglín.
'Friends from afar - is it not a joy!' Welcome, dear friends.

Tips

history
The second sentence of the Analects (《论语·学而》), attributed to Confucius: 学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？ 'To learn and regularly practice - is it not a pleasure? To have friends come from afar - is it not a joy? To be unrecognized yet unresentful - is that not a gentleman?' Arguably the most quoted line in the Analects.
usage
Standard greeting in formal welcomes, at banquets, conferences, and diplomatic events. Often follows on with 不亦乐乎 for the full flourish. Famously featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

Stroke Order

有 yǒu
朋 péng
自 zì
远 yuǎn
方 fāng
来 lái