爱毛反裘
爱毛反裘 (ài máo fǎn qiú) literally means “love fur turn inside-out fur coat” and expresses “honor one's teachers or humble origins”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ai mao fan qiu, ai mao fan qiu,爱毛反裘 meaning, 爱毛反裘 in english
Honor one's teachers or humble origins
Pronunciation: ài máo fǎn qiú Literal meaning: Love fur turn inside-out fur coat
Origin & Usage
The Warring States period text 'Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals' introduces this image of loving fur (爱毛) so much that one turns a fur coat inside out (反裘) to examine its foundation. Han Dynasty scholars transformed it into a metaphor for valuing origins over appearances. In northern China, where fur provided essential winter protection, the metaphor carried particular weight. Today it describes honoring foundations and origins, particularly in expressing gratitude toward those who provided essential knowledge enabling later success.
When to Use
Situation: Despite his formal training, he respected the folk traditions of his hometown artisans
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Similar idioms about relationships & character
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 爱毛反裘 mean in English?
爱毛反裘 (ài máo fǎn qiú) literally translates to “Love fur turn inside-out fur coat” and is used to express “Honor one's teachers or humble origins”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 爱毛反裘 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving honor one's teachers or humble origins.
What is the pinyin for 爱毛反裘?
The pinyin pronunciation for 爱毛反裘 is “ài máo fǎn qiú”.