程门立雪
程门立雪 (chéng mén lì xuě) literally means “cheng door stand snow” and expresses “show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom”. 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: cheng men li xue, cheng men li xue,程门立雪 meaning, 程门立雪 in english
Show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom
Pronunciation: chéng mén lì xuě Literal meaning: Cheng door stand snow
Origin & Usage
A Song Dynasty tale of devotion immortalized student Yang Shi, who stood in snow (立雪) outside philosopher Cheng Yi's door (程门), awaiting his teacher's wisdom. Yuan Dynasty scholars adopted it as the model for ideal student-teacher relationships. The image of a scholar enduring physical discomfort in pursuit of knowledge perfectly captured the Confucian ideal of learning. Modern usage celebrates those who demonstrate profound respect for knowledge through patient dedication.
When to Use
Situation: The young researcher spent hours outside the professor's office seeking mentorship
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
南辕北辙
nán yuán běi zhé
Actions contrary to one's goals
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耳目一新
ěr mù yī xīn
A refreshing new experience
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循序渐进
xún xù jiàn jìn
Progress step by step
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恍然大悟
huǎng rán dà wù
Sudden complete understanding after confusion
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邯郸学步
hán dān xué bù
Lose abilities through misguided imitation
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归根到底
guī gēn dào dǐ
Fundamentally or in the final analysis
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瓜田李下
guā tián lǐ xià
Avoid situations that invite suspicion
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得不偿失
dé bù cháng shī
Gains not worth the cost or sacrifice
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 程门立雪 mean in English?
程门立雪 (chéng mén lì xuě) literally translates to “Cheng door stand snow” and is used to express “Show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 程门立雪 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom.
What is the pinyin for 程门立雪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 程门立雪 is “chéng mén lì xuě”.