瓜田李下
瓜田李下 (guā tián lǐ xià) literally means “melon field plum under” and expresses “avoid situations that invite suspicion”. 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: gua tian li xia, gua tian li xia,瓜田李下 meaning, 瓜田李下 in english
Avoid situations that invite suspicion
Pronunciation: guā tián lǐ xià Literal meaning: Melon field plum under
Origin & Usage
The 'Book of Rites' first warned against adjusting shoes in melon fields (瓜田) or hats under plum trees (李下), as these innocent actions could be misinterpreted as preparation for theft. Tang Dynasty writers expanded it beyond specific locations to any situation inviting misinterpretation. The agricultural settings provided concrete examples of how context can make innocent actions appear suspicious. Modern professional ethics still emphasizes avoiding not just impropriety but even its appearance.
When to Use
Situation: The professor avoided meeting alone with students to prevent any appearance of impropriety
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 瓜田李下 mean in English?
瓜田李下 (guā tián lǐ xià) literally translates to “Melon field plum under” and is used to express “Avoid situations that invite suspicion”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 瓜田李下 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving avoid situations that invite suspicion.
What is the pinyin for 瓜田李下?
The pinyin pronunciation for 瓜田李下 is “guā tián lǐ xià”.