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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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”.