📖 Meaning
To turn inward and examine one's own words and deeds, holding oneself accountable for one's conduct. It is a synonym for the more common idiom 反躬自问. The phrase emphasizes honest self-reflection rather than blaming others.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the Qing dynasty scholar Dai Mingshi's work 'Biography of the Filial Son Cheng' (程孝子传). In the text, Dai Mingshi sighs with emotion that everyone has a mother, and upon reading the deeds of this filial son, one should turn and examine oneself to see how one truly measures up. The passage uses the powerful example of filial piety to urge readers toward deep moral self-reflection.
💡 Example Usage
遇事不要总责怪别人，而应反身自问，看看自己有没有做错。
When things go wrong, don't always blame others; instead, reflect on yourself and see if you've made any mistakes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 反身自问
- Pinyin: fǎn shēn zì wèn
- Literal Translation: turn back, body, self, ask
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4