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bù 不 chǐ 耻 xià 下 wèn 问

不耻下问 bù chǐ xià wèn

not ashamed to ask those below oneself; humble enough to learn from anyone

Literally: not ashamed downward ask

Intermediate 📚 Study & effort
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Origin

From the Analects: Confucius explained that Kong Wenzi earned his posthumous name 文 because he was 敏而好学,不耻下问.

How to use it

Predicate; positive. 虚心好学,不耻下问.

Example sentences

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  1. 他虽然是教授，但是不耻下问，常常向学生请教。
    Tā suīrán shì jiàoshòu, dànshì bù chǐ xià wèn, chángcháng xiàng xuésheng qǐngjiào.
    Although he is a professor, he is not ashamed to ask his students for advice.
    he although is professor, but not ashamed downward ask, often toward student ask advice
  2. 学习要不耻下问，不懂就问。
    Xuéxí yào bù chǐ xià wèn, bù dǒng jiù wèn.
    In study you should not be ashamed to ask anyone; if you don't understand, ask.
    study need not ashamed downward ask, not understand then ask

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