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xū 虚 huái 怀 ruò 若 gǔ 谷

虚怀若谷 xū huái ruò gǔ

extremely modest and open-minded; humble enough to receive all opinions

Literally: empty bosom like valley

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Origin

From the Daodejing (chapter 15): 敦兮其若朴,旷兮其若谷 — the sage is vast and receptive like a valley.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive, literary. Often 虚怀若谷的长者.

Example sentences

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  1. 这位科学家虽然成就卓越，却始终虚怀若谷。
    Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā suīrán chéngjiù zhuóyuè, què shǐzhōng xū huái ruò gǔ.
    Although this scientist's achievements are outstanding, he has always remained deeply modest.
    this (measure) scientist although achievement outstanding, yet always empty bosom like valley
  2. 领导者只有虚怀若谷，才能听到真实的意见。
    Lǐngdǎozhě zhǐyǒu xū huái ruò gǔ, cái néng tīngdào zhēnshí de yìjiàn.
    Only when leaders are genuinely open-minded can they hear honest opinions.
    leader only empty bosom like valley, only-then can hear true (attributive particle) opinion

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