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不耻下问

bù chǐ xià wèn
HSK 3.0 Level 7

Definitions

  1. 1. not feel ashamed to ask and learn from one's subordinates

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Usage notes

Common mistakes

Used when a superior humbly seeks advice from a subordinate, not when equals or students ask each other questions.

Formality

A formal, literary idiom praising humility in learning; uncommon in casual speech.

Example Sentences

1 shown
领导 不耻下问 ，向年轻员工请教新技术。
The leader was not ashamed to ask and consulted the young employees about the new technology.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 不耻下问

下
xià

down

不
bù

no; not so

问
wèn

to ask; to inquire

耻
chǐ

shame