📖 Meaning
When entering a new country or place, one should first inquire about its local customs and traditions. The idiom emphasizes respect for local culture and adaptability when arriving in unfamiliar surroundings. It advises travelers and officials to understand local practices before acting.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Book of Rites' (《礼记·曲礼上》), a foundational Confucian text compiled during the Han dynasty but preserving rituals from the Zhou dynasty. The original passage states: 'When entering a territory, ask about its prohibitions; when entering a state, ask about its customs; when entering a household, ask about its taboos.' It reflects the Confucian principle that a gentleman should show respect and prudence by learning local norms wherever he goes, avoiding offense through ignorance.
💡 Example Usage
他初到异乡，深知入国问俗的道理，凡事都先向当地人请教。
Newly arrived in a foreign land, he understood the wisdom of learning local customs first, and sought advice from the locals on everything.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 入国问俗
- Pinyin: rù guó wèn sú
- Literal Translation: enter, country, ask, customs
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4