反面教材

fǎnmiàn jiàocái

phrase #34,831

Meanings

1 negative example
2 cautionary tale
3 lesson in what not to do

Characters

reverse, opposite

Examples

HSK 7-9

他成了大家的反面教材。

Tā chéng le dàjiā de fǎnmiàn jiàocái.

He became everyone's cautionary tale.

HSK 7-9

这次失败可以作为反面教材。

Zhècì shībài kěyǐ zuòwéi fǎnmiàn jiàocái.

This failure can serve as a negative example.

Tips

culture

A staple of Maoist-era political language: people or events were officially designated 反面教材 (a 'reverse-side teaching material') so others could learn what to avoid. The phrase has softened, today it's used jokingly about anyone who screws up publicly.

Stroke Order

反 fǎn

面 miàn

教 jiāo

材 cái