见贤思齐
见贤思齐 (jiàn xián sī qí) literally means “see worthy wish equal” and expresses “learn from the worthy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: jian xian si qi, jian xian si qi,见贤思齐 meaning, 见贤思齐 in english
Learn from the worthy
Pronunciation: jiàn xián sī qí
Literal meaning: See worthy wish equal
Origin & Usage
Derived from Confucius's Analects, this phrase encourages people who see (见) the worthy (贤) to wish (思) to equal (齐) them. It embodied the Confucian ideal of self-improvement through positive example. During the Han Dynasty, it became a cornerstone of educational philosophy, promoting active emulation of moral exemplars. The idiom suggests that progress comes not from mere admiration but from conscious effort to match others' achievements. Contemporary usage emphasizes professional and personal development, encouraging people to transform inspiration into action. It promotes healthy competition and continuous improvement while maintaining humility.
Examples
English: "Reading about innovative leaders motivated her to enhance her skills"
Chinese: 阅读创新领袖的事迹激励她提升自己的技能
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 见贤思齐 mean in English?
见贤思齐 (jiàn xián sī qí) literally translates to “See worthy wish equal” and is used to express “Learn from the worthy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 见贤思齐 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving learn from the worthy.
What is the pinyin for 见贤思齐?
The pinyin pronunciation for 见贤思齐 is “jiàn xián sī qí”.