📖 Meaning
To endure humiliation and swallow disgrace with patience. It describes someone who bears insults and shame without complaint, often to achieve a greater purpose or maintain composure under adversity.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the 'Book of the Later Han' (《后汉书》), in the biography of Cao Shishu's wife, the renowned scholar Ban Zhao. The passage instructs that a virtuous woman should accept praise silently, never shirk blame, endure humiliation and disgrace, and always appear fearful and humble—this was regarded as the proper conduct of the lowly and weak. The text reflects traditional Confucian ideals of humility, forbearance, and submission to social hierarchy.
💡 Example Usage
他忍辱含垢多年，终于等来了洗清冤屈的那一天。
He endured humiliation and disgrace for many years, finally awaiting the day to clear his name.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 忍辱含垢
- Pinyin: rěn rǔ hán gòu
- Literal Translation: endure, humiliation, contain, disgrace
- Category: Perseverance
- Characters: 4