📖 Meaning
To answer a single call with repeated, eager affirmations. It describes a person who is excessively deferential and servile, complying instantly without the slightest hesitation.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from Volume 5 of 'Han Shi Wai Zhuan' (韩诗外传), compiled by the Han dynasty scholar Han Ying. The passage contrasts '人吏' — officials who abide by the law and dare not do wrong — with '人隶' — mere servants who, upon hearing a single command, answer with repeated 'yes' before the words are even finished. The phrase '一呼再喏' captures this fawning, reflexive obedience as the hallmark of a servile character rather than a principled one.
💡 Example Usage
他在上司面前总是一呼再喏，毫无主见。
He always responds with fawning obedience before his superior, showing no opinion of his own.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一呼再喏
- Pinyin: yī hū zài nuò
- Literal Translation: one, call, again, assent
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4