他山之石可以攻玉

tā shān zhī shí kě yǐ gōng yù

Save to list

A add to a list Esc back to results

Definitions

1. lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside
2. to borrow talent from abroad to develop the nation effectively

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Get Yearly · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Child Words of 他山之石可以攻玉

• 之 之 zhī: (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
• 他 他 tā: he; him (used for either sex when the sex is unknown or unimportant)
• 以 以 yǐ: to use
• 可 可 kě: can
• 可以 可以 kě yǐ: can
• 山 山 shān: mountain; hill
• 攻 攻 gōng: to attack
• 玉 玉 yù: jade
• 石 石 dàn: dry measure for grain equal to ten dou 斗[dǒu]; one hundred liters
• 石 石 shí: rock