Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
不恥下問. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
不恥下問, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
不恥下問 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
不恥下問 you have here. The definition of the word
不恥下問 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
不恥下問, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Etymology
From the Analects, Book 5 (《論語·公冶長》):
子貢問曰：「孔文子何以謂之文也？」子曰：「敏而好學，不恥下問，是以謂之文也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
子贡问曰：「孔文子何以谓之文也？」子曰：「敏而好学，不耻下问，是以谓之文也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐgòng wèn yuē: “Kǒng Wén Zǐ héyǐ wèi zhī wén yě?” Zǐ yuē: “Mǐn ér hào xué, bù chǐ xiàwèn, shìyǐ wèi zhī wén yě.”
- Zigong asked, saying, "On what ground did Kong Wen get that title of Wen?" The Master said, "He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors! On these grounds he has been styled Wen."
Pronunciation
Idiom
不恥下問
- to be not ashamed to learn from one's subordinates