青出于蓝

qīng chū yú lán
Literal: "blue from indigo plant"

📖 Meaning

The student surpasses the teacher. Successive generations improve upon their predecessors.

📜 Origin Story

From Xunzi: 'Indigo dye comes from the indigo plant, but is bluer than the plant itself.'

💡 Example Usage

徒弟青出于蓝而胜于蓝。

The apprentice has surpassed the master—bluer than the indigo plant he came from.

🏷️ Category

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🔤 Quick Facts

  • Chinese: 青出于蓝
  • Pinyin: qīng chū yú lán
  • Literal Translation: blue from indigo plant
  • Category: Improvement
  • Characters: 4