家丑不可外扬

家醜不可外揚

jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng

idiom

Meanings

1 family shames should not be aired outside
2 don't wash your dirty linen in public

Characters

shame, ugly matter

spread, publicize

Examples

HSK 7-9

俗话说，家丑不可外扬。

Súhuàshuō, jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng.

As the saying goes, don't air your dirty laundry in public.

HSK 7-9

他们不愿谈论此事，认为家丑不可外扬。

Tāmen bù yuàn tánlùn cǐshì, rènwéi jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng.

They refused to discuss it, believing family shames shouldn't be aired outside.

HSK 7-9

家丑不可外扬的观念有时妨碍了问题的解决。

Jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng de guānniàn yǒushí fáng'ài le wèntí de jiějué.

The 'don't air family shames' mindset sometimes hinders solving the problem.

Tips

history

From Song-dynasty Buddhist text 《五灯会元》: 家丑不外扬 ('family shames should not be aired'). Originally a Chan monastic saying, absorbed into general proverbs.

culture

Encodes a strong traditional value - family reputation (面子) over individual candor. Increasingly challenged in discussions of domestic abuse, mental health, and family secrets.

Stroke Order

家 jiā

丑 chǒu

不 bù

可 kě

外 wài

扬 yáng