真人不露相

zhēnrénbùlòuxiàng

idiom

Meanings

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

Characters

appearance / form

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, zhēnshì zhēnrénbúlòuxiàng.

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。

Biékàn tā píngshí bùshuō huà, zhēnrénbúlòuxiàng, 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 - "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