不耻下问

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù chǐ xià wèn
• English Translation: Not ashamed to ask subordinates (humble learning)
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not）＋「耻」（To consider something a shame or disgrace）＋「下」（Below; referring to people of lower status, rank, or age）＋「问」（To ask or seek advice）
• Meaning: To not feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek knowledge or advice from people who are lower in status, rank, or age. It describes a person who is exceptionally humble and eager to learn.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不耻下问」 contains the following nuances:

• Grammatical Nuance of 'Shame': The character 耻 (chǐ) functions as a verb meaning 'to consider something a shame.' The idiom does not mean that asking is shameful, but rather that the person refuses to view asking a subordinate as a blow to their pride.
• Hunger for Truth: It reflects a deep commitment to seeking the truth where one's reputation or social standing is secondary to the acquisition of knowledge.
• Directional Specificity: The term 下问 (xià wèn) specifically refers to asking someone 'below.' Therefore, this idiom is used for superiors asking subordinates or elders asking youth, not for asking teachers or seniors.

3. Usage

「不耻下问」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Academic & Education: Used to describe the ideal attitude of a scholar or student who values knowledge over ego.
  • Example:「真正的学者都懂得不耻下问，从不因为对方年轻就轻视其观点。」
    （True scholars are not ashamed to learn from their subordinates, never dismissing an idea just because it comes from someone younger.）
• Leadership: Used to praise a leader or manager who actively listens to and learns from their staff.
  • Example:「这位经理经常向一线员工请教技术问题，这种不耻下问的精神令人敬佩。」
    （The manager often asks frontline workers for technical advice; his humility in seeking knowledge from below is truly admirable.）

Additional Examples:

1. 要想学到真本领，就必须放下架子，不耻下问。
   （If you want to gain real skills, you must set aside your ego and not be ashamed to learn from those below you.）
2. 孔子尚且不耻下问，我们普通人更应该虚心学习。
   （Even Confucius (孔子) was not ashamed to ask his subordinates, so we ordinary people should be even more open-minded in our learning.）
3. 他在学术上造诣很高，却依然保持着不耻下问的作风。
   （Despite his high academic standing, he maintains a style of humbly seeking advice from everyone.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: From the 'Gongye Chang' (公冶长) chapter of the Analects (论语). When asked why the official Kong Yu (孔圉) was given the posthumous title 'Wen' (文, meaning 'cultured'), Confucius (孔子) replied that it was because he was 'diligent, loved learning, and was not ashamed to ask his subordinates (敏而好学，不耻下问).'
• Confucian Values: In ancient Chinese society, which was strictly hierarchical, 'bowing one's head' to a subordinate was rare. This idiom represents the Confucian ideal that the pursuit of Dao (道) or knowledge should override social status.
• Usage Caution: Never use this phrase to describe your own behavior (e.g., 'I will 不耻下问 you'). Doing so implies you view the listener as your inferior, which is highly offensive. It is strictly used to praise others or as a general principle.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 虚怀若谷 (xū huái ruò gǔ): Having a mind as open as a valley; extremely modest and receptive to others' opinions.
  • 移樽就教 (yí zūn jiù jiào): To go to someone else's place to seek instruction; to humble oneself to learn.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 好为人师 (hào wéi rén shī): To love acting as a teacher to others; being conceited and fond of lecturing people.
  • 自以为是 (zì yǐ wéi shì): To consider oneself always right; opinionated and dismissive of others' views.link
  • 目中无人 (mù zhōng wú rén): To be so arrogant as to disregard everyone else.link
  • 恃才傲物 (shì cái ào wù): To be arrogant because of one's talent or ability.link

6. Summary

不耻下问 (bù chǐ xià wèn) is a commendatory idiom praising a person's humility and thirst for knowledge. Originating from the Analects (论语), it emphasizes that true learning transcends social hierarchy. However, because the term 下 (xià) implies 'below' or 'subordinate,' one should never use it to describe their own actions toward someone else, as it would inadvertently insult the other person by labeling them as an inferior.