📖 Meaning
Not feeling ashamed to ask questions of those who are younger or of lower status. It describes a person who is humble enough to seek knowledge from anyone, regardless of rank or age. The idiom praises intellectual humility and a sincere desire to learn.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from the "Lunyu" (Analects of Confucius), specifically Chapter 5, "Gongye Chang." Confucius said of himself: "I was not born with knowledge; I am only one who loves antiquity and is earnest in seeking it." Later in the same chapter, he states that he is not ashamed to ask questions of his inferiors, setting an example of how a true gentleman should pursue learning without regard to social hierarchy.
💡 Example Usage
真正的学问家从不耻下问，哪怕对方只是个孩子，只要有所长，他都虚心请教。
A true scholar is never ashamed to ask questions of those below him; even if the other person is only a child, as long as they have expertise, he humbly seeks their guidance.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 不耻下问
- Pinyin: bù chǐ xià wèn
- Literal Translation: not, ashamed, below, ask
- Category: Learning
- Characters: 4