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真人不露相

zhēnrénbùlòuxiàng
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 a true master keeps a low profile
  2. 2 the truly wise don't show off
  3. 3 still waters run deep

Examples

他下象棋一连赢了三盘，真是真人不露相。
Tā xià xiàngqí yìlián yíng le sān pán, zhēn shì zhēnrén bú lòu xiàng.
He won three chess games in a row — truly, masters don't show off.
别看他平时不说话，真人不露相，技术非常厉害。
Bié kàn tā píngshí bù shuōhuà, zhēnrén bú lòu xiàng, jìshù fēicháng lìhai.
Don't be fooled by his quietness — still waters run deep; his skills are formidable.

Tips

history
First found in 《西游记》 chapter 99, where the line goes 真人不露相，露相不真人 (zhēnrén bú lòu xiàng, lòu xiàng bù zhēnrén) — 'a true adept doesn't reveal his true form; one who reveals his form is no true adept'. In Daoist usage 真人 meant a realized immortal; in modern speech it has broadened to anyone genuinely skilled.
usage
Often paired with its second half 露相不真人 to form a complete couplet, but the first half stands alone as a compliment to humble experts. Closest English equivalent: 'still waters run deep' or 'empty vessels make the most noise'.

Stroke Order

真 zhēn
人 rén
不 bù
露 lù
相 xiāng