姑息养奸
姑息养奸 (gū xī yǎng jiān) literally means “indulgence nurtures evildoers” and expresses “leniency encourages worse behavior”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: gu xi yang jian, gu xi yang jian,姑息养奸 meaning, 姑息养奸 in english
Leniency encourages worse behavior
Pronunciation: gū xī yǎng jiān Literal meaning: Indulgence nurtures evildoers
Origin & Usage
姑息 is indulgence of the temporary, accommodating kind — the Book of Rites contrasts loving someone with virtue against loving them with 姑息 — and the phrase adds what it produces: nurturing (养) what is corrupt (奸). The verb is the sharp part, since 养 is what you do deliberately to something you want to grow. Discipline, policy and parenting, and the claim is always that the leniency was not neutral but causal.
Examples
English: "The principal's leniency toward bullying only emboldened the perpetrators"
Chinese: 校长对欺凌行为的宽容只会使行为人更加胆大妄为
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
引火烧身
yǐn huǒ shāo shēn
Bring trouble upon oneself
Learn more →
覆水难收
fù shuǐ nán shōu
Actions cannot be undone
Learn more →
安步当车
ān bù dàng chē
Choose simpler pleasures over status displays
Learn more →
安如泰山
ān rú tài shān
Absolutely stable and unshakable
Learn more →
喜出望外
xǐ chū wàng wài
Overjoyed; pleasantly surprised
Learn more →
坐立不安
zuò lì bù ān
Extremely restless and anxious
Learn more →
息息相关
xī xī xiāng guān
Closely related; intimately connected
Learn more →
喜闻乐见
xǐ wén lè jiàn
Enjoyed by all; universally popular
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 姑息养奸 mean in English?
姑息养奸 (gū xī yǎng jiān) literally translates to “Indulgence nurtures evildoers” and is used to express “Leniency encourages worse behavior”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 姑息养奸 used?
Situation: The principal's leniency toward bullying only emboldened the perpetrators
What is the pinyin for 姑息养奸?
The pinyin pronunciation for 姑息养奸 is “gū xī yǎng jiān”.
Curated Lists Featuring 姑息养奸
7 Chinese Idioms for New Baby — Perfect Congratulations Messages
Heartwarming Chinese idioms to congratulate new parents and bless newborn babies.
8 Healing Chinese Idioms for Get Well Soon Wishes
Caring Chinese idioms to wish someone a speedy recovery and good health.
8 Chinese Idioms About Karma & Consequences
Thought-provoking Chinese idioms about karma, cause and effect, and reaping what you sow.