才疏学浅
才疏学浅 (cái shū xué qiǎn) literally means “limited talent, shallow learning” and expresses “humble self-assessment”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: cai shu xue qian, cai shu xue qian,才疏学浅 meaning, 才疏学浅 in english
Humble self-assessment
Pronunciation: cái shū xué qiǎn Literal meaning: Limited talent, shallow learning
Origin & Usage
The idiom 才疏学浅 (cái shū xué qiǎn) originates from the Eastern Han Dynasty, specifically from the historical text 《汉书》 (Hànshū) written by Ban Gu. It appears in the biography of Gu Yong, a scholar known for his boldness in advising Emperor Cheng of Han. Despite his courage, Gu Yong humbly referred to himself as having limited talent and shallow learning (才疏, talent sparse; 学浅, learning shallow) when addressing the emperor about his neglect of state affairs due to indulgence in the pleasures of the palace. This idiom is commonly used as a humble expression of one's own perceived inadequacies in knowledge or ability. In modern contexts, it serves as a reminder to remain humble and continuously seek knowledge, acknowledging that personal achievements are just stepping stones to greater success.
Examples
English: "Despite his efforts, he often felt inadequate compared to his more knowledgeable peers."
Chinese: 尽管他努力学习，但总觉得才疏学浅，无法与同伴相比。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
融会贯通
róng huì guàn tōng
Master something completely
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学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
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读万卷书
dú wàn juǎn shū
Read extensively for knowledge
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 才疏学浅 mean in English?
才疏学浅 (cái shū xué qiǎn) literally translates to “Limited talent, shallow learning” and is used to express “Humble self-assessment”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 才疏学浅 used?
Situation: Despite his efforts, he often felt inadequate compared to his more knowledgeable peers.
What is the pinyin for 才疏学浅?
The pinyin pronunciation for 才疏学浅 is “cái shū xué qiǎn”.