1. The famous saying means that if you don’t understand, you should ask, and if you don’t know, you should learn. A person who is eager to learn and not ashamed to ask. ”

Refers to a person who is talented, intelligent and eager to learn, and is not ashamed to ask for advice from those who are lower in status and less knowledgeable than himself.

From the fifth chapter of "The Analects of Confucius Gongye Chang": Zi Gong asked: "How does Confucius and Wenzi call it 'wen'?" Confucius said: "Sensitive and eager to learn, and not ashamed to ask questions, this is why we call it 'wen'. "Wen" also means not being ashamed to ask for advice from people with lower status and knowledge than yourself, describing being humble and eager to learn.

Extended information

1. Basic information

1. Pronunciation

mǐn ér hào xué , bù chǐ xià wèn.

2. Usage

Verb-object form; used as subject, predicate, object; has a complimentary meaning, describing humbly asking for advice.

3. Antonyms

Eager to teach others, proud and complacent.

4. Example

A true scholar strives for academic excellence, constantly improves his or her knowledge, and sometimes is not ashamed to ask his subordinates to absorb nutrients from all aspects.

2. Introduction to the source

"The Analects of Confucius" is a collection of quotations from Confucius and his disciples. It was compiled by Confucius's disciples and his disciples and was completed in the early Warring States Period.

The book has 20 chapters and 492 chapters, mainly in the form of quotations, supplemented by narratives. It mainly records the words and deeds of Confucius and his disciples, and more concentratedly embodies Confucius’ political opinions, ethical thoughts, and morals. Concepts and educational principles, etc.

This book is one of the classic works of the Confucian school. It is called the "Four Books" together with "The Great Learning", "The Doctrine of the Mean" and "Mencius", plus "The Book of Songs", "Shangshu", "Book of Rites" and "Book of Changes" "Spring and Autumn", collectively known as "Four Books and Five Classics".