不苟言笑

bùgǒu-yánxiào

idiom #35,996

Meanings

HSK 5

他一向不苟言笑，同事们都觉得他难以接近。

Tā yíxiàng bùgǒuyánxiào, tóngshì men dōu juéde tā nányǐ jiējìn.

He has always been stern and reserved; his colleagues all find him hard to approach.

HSK 7-9

这位老教授平时不苟言笑，但学识渊博。

Zhèwèi lǎo jiàoshòu píngshí bùgǒuyánxiào, dàn xuéshí yuānbó.

This old professor is usually serious and reserved, but deeply learned.

history

Rooted in 《礼记·曲礼上》: 不登高，不临深，不苟訾，不苟笑 - the Book of Rites' injunction that a gentleman does not joke or criticize carelessly.

usage

Neutral-to-positive in tone: implies gravitas and self-discipline, not grumpiness. Typically describes elders, scholars, or serious professionals.

不 bù

苟 gǒu

言 yán

笑 xiào