不耻下问

• Pinyin: bù chǐ xià wèn
• Desglose de hanzi: 不 = not; 耻 = 耳 (ear) + 心 (heart), meaning shame; 下 = below; 问 = 门 (door) + 口 (mouth), meaning to ask

Significado

No avergonzarse de aprender de cualquiera, aunque sea de “inferiores”.

A classical idiom praising the virtue of humility in learning. Describes someone who, despite their high status or expertise, is still willing to seek knowledge from those considered beneath them. Often used approvingly to describe good learners or humble experts.

Ejemplos

1. 他虽然是教授，却常常向学生请教，真正做到了不耻下问。
2. 学习就应该不耻下问，不懂就问才能进步。
3. 老总不耻下问，经常找一线员工聊天了解实际情况。

Guía de uso

Contexto: learning, praise, humility

Tono: approving

Correcto

• 做学问要不耻下问。(In scholarship, one should not be ashamed to learn from anyone.)
• 他不耻下问的态度值得我们学习。(His humble attitude of asking anyone is worth learning from.)

Incorrecto

• 我不耻下问地问了服务员洗手间在哪。(Don't use this idiom for ordinary questions — it specifically praises humility in seeking knowledge despite status differences)

Origen e historia

From The Analerta of Confucius. Originally describing Confucius' disciple Kong Wenzi, who was not ashamed to learn from those of lower status. 耻 means ashamed, 下问 means to ask those below.

Contexto cultural

Época: Classical

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Educated