负荆请罪
负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally means “carry thorns request punishment” and expresses “sincerely admit fault and accept consequences”. 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: fu jing qing zui, fu jing qing zui,负荆请罪 meaning, 负荆请罪 in english
Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences
Pronunciation: fù jīng qǐng zuì Literal meaning: Carry thorns request punishment
Origin & Usage
The 'Records of the Grand Historian' tells how general Lin Xiangru carried thorns (负荆) while requesting punishment (请罪) to demonstrate sincere regret for insulting fellow general Lian Po. Han Dynasty writers transformed this specific incident into a broader symbol of genuine remorse backed by willingness to accept consequences. The physical discomfort of carrying thorns proved more convincing than mere verbal apology.
When to Use
Situation: The executive publicly apologized for the company's environmental violations
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 负荆请罪 mean in English?
负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally translates to “Carry thorns request punishment” and is used to express “Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 负荆请罪 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving sincerely admit fault and accept consequences.
What is the pinyin for 负荆请罪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 负荆请罪 is “fù jīng qǐng zuì”.