洗耳恭听

洗耳恭聽
xǐ'ěr-gōngtīng
idiom #10,009

Meanings

  1. 1 to listen with respectful attention; to be all ears
  2. 2 please speak, I'm listening

Examples

Qǐng shuō ba, wǒ xǐ'ěr-gōngtīng.
Please go ahead, I'm all ears.
Dàjiā xǐ'ěr-gōngtīng jiàoshòu de jiǎngzuò.
Everyone listened attentively to the professor's lecture.

Tips

history
From the legend of 许由, an ancient hermit. When Emperor Yao offered him the throne, he was so offended that he went to wash his ears in a stream, as if the words had dirtied them.
register
A formal and polite expression. Using it shows respect toward the speaker. Common in business meetings and formal conversations.

Stroke Order

ěr
gōng
tīng