📖 Meaning
A humble scholar of low rank. The idiom refers to a person who, despite their modest station, is loyal and upright in character.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom first appears in Zhao Ye's 'Wu Yue Chun Qiu' (Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue) from the Han dynasty, in the section 'Goujian Entering Service as a Subject.' The text describes Fan Li, the advisor to King Goujian of Yue, as a '一介之士' — a humble man of integrity. Despite his lowly origins, Fan Li was fiercely loyal and helped Goujian restore his kingdom. The phrase has since come to praise those who remain virtuous and principled regardless of their social standing.
💡 Example Usage
他虽是一介之士，却敢于直言进谏。
Although he was but a humble scholar, he dared to speak frankly and remonstrate.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一介之士
- Pinyin: yī jiè zhī shì
- Literal Translation: one, humble, of, scholar
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4