不耻下问

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù chǐ xià wèn
• English Translation: Not ashamed to ask for advice from those of lower status, willing to learn from anyone regardless of their position
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not）＋「耻」（To be ashamed）＋「下」（Lower position）＋「问」（To ask, to inquire）
• Meaning: Not being ashamed to seek advice from those of lower status, age, or knowledge. It is used to highly praise a humble attitude toward learning.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不耻下问」 contains the following nuances:

• Humility: Represents a humble attitude of being willing to learn from anyone without pride in one's own status or knowledge.
• Self-improvement: Shows a strong desire for self-improvement by seeking to acquire better knowledge and skills.
• Pragmatism: Implies an attitude that values practical learning over status or honor.
• Open-mindedness: Represents a flexible attitude of honestly acknowledging what one does not know and listening to others' opinions.

3. Usage

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

• Character evaluation: Used when praising humble and ambitious individuals.
  • Example:「他虽然已经是教授了，但仍然不耻下问，经常向学生请教问题。」
    （Although he is already a professor, he is still not ashamed to ask for advice from those below him and frequently asks students questions.）
• Encouraging learning attitude: Used when emphasizing the importance of learning and recommending a humble learning attitude.
  • Example:「在学习上，我们应该有不耻下问的精神，这样才能不断进步。」
    （In learning, we should have the spirit of not being ashamed to ask anyone for guidance, and by doing so we can constantly improve.）
• Self-development: Used to encourage oneself to maintain a humble learning attitude.
  • Example:「我要不耻下问，多向身边的同事学习。」
    （I will not be ashamed to ask anyone for guidance and learn much from my nearby colleagues.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这位老学者虽然学识渊博，但仍然保持着不耻下问的态度。
   （This elderly scholar, despite being erudite, continues to maintain an attitude of not being ashamed to ask anyone for guidance.）
2. 她在工作中遇到不懂的问题，总是不耻下问，向同事请教。
   （When she faces problems she doesn't understand at work, she always asks anyone for help without shame and learns from her colleagues.）
3. 他总是不耻下问，因此他的知识和技能提高得很快。
   （Because he always asks anyone for guidance without shame, his knowledge and skills improved rapidly.）
4. 作为领导者，要不耻下问，虚心听取下属的意见。
   （As a leader, one must not be ashamed to ask anyone for guidance and humbly listen to subordinates' opinions.）
5. 只有不耻下问，才能不断完善自己，取得更大的成就。
   （Only by not being ashamed to ask anyone for guidance can one constantly improve oneself and achieve greater accomplishments.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '不耻下问' is an idiom derived from Confucian teachings founded by Confucius. In Confucianism, humility and a continuous learning attitude are highly valued, and this idiom embodies these values.
• The '下' (lower) here refers not only to those of lower status or age, but also to those whose knowledge or experience might be considered inferior to one's own.
• In modern society, the attitude of learning from anyone regardless of hierarchical relationships is highly valued. '不耻下问' aligns well with these contemporary values.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 虚心求教 (xū xīn qiú jiào): Humbly seeking guidance.
  • 勤学好问 (qín xué hǎo wèn): Being diligent in learning and fond of asking questions.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 自高自大 (zì gāo zì dà): Thinking oneself great and looking down on others.
  • 目中无人 (mù zhōng wú rén): Being arrogant and not considering others at all.

6. Summary

'不耻下问' is an idiom that reflects traditional Chinese values, teaching the importance of continuing to learn humbly. Even in modern society, the spirit of 'learning from anyone' that this idiom embodies is very important for personal growth and building relationships. By understanding and practicing this idiom, one can lead a more fulfilling life.