不耻下问

• 拼音: bù chǐ xià wèn
• 汉字拆解: 不 = not; 耻 = 耳 (ear) + 心 (heart), meaning shame; 下 = below; 问 = 门 (door) + 口 (mouth), meaning to ask

含义

Not ashamed to ask those of lower status or knowledge; willing to learn from anyone regardless of their position.

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.

例句

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。

用法指南

语境: learning, praise, humility

语气: approving

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

时代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会背景: Educated