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.
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
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
融会贯通
róng huì guàn tōng
Master something completely
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学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
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读万卷书
dú wàn juǎn shū
Read extensively for knowledge
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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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: Reading about innovative leaders motivated her to enhance her skills
What is the pinyin for 见贤思齐?
The pinyin pronunciation for 见贤思齐 is “jiàn xián sī qí”.
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