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.
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
An old ballad advises the gentleman not to pull on his shoe in a melon field nor straighten his hat beneath a plum tree — 瓜田不纳履，李下不整冠 — since either motion, seen from a distance, looks exactly like theft. The counsel is not about honesty but about appearances: the man is innocent, and that is precisely why he must not be seen doing it. Modern usage warns against putting yourself in a position that invites suspicion, however clean your hands are.
Examples
English: "The professor avoided meeting alone with students to prevent any appearance of impropriety"
Chinese: 教授避免单独与学生会面，以防止任何不当行为的出现
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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: The professor avoided meeting alone with students to prevent any appearance of impropriety
What is the pinyin for 瓜田李下?
The pinyin pronunciation for 瓜田李下 is “guā tián lǐ xià”.