后生可畏
后生可畏 (hòu shēng kě wèi) literally means “younger generation admirable” and expresses “youthful potential”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: hou sheng ke wei, hou sheng ke wei,后生可畏 meaning, 后生可畏 in english
Youthful potential
Pronunciation: hòu shēng kě wèi Literal meaning: Younger generation admirable
Origin & Usage
The idiom 后生可畏 (hòu shēng kě wèi) originates from the Analects of Confucius (《论语》), specifically from the chapter 'Zi Han' (子罕). Confucius observed that young people possess qualities that make them worthy of respect and admiration. He noted that the potential of youth is vast, and they may surpass their elders in achievements. The story illustrating this idiom involves Confucius encountering a wise young boy who displayed remarkable insight and reasoning, leading Confucius to acknowledge the impressive capabilities of the younger generation. The characters 后生 (hòu shēng) mean 'younger generation,' and 可畏 (kě wèi) mean 'worthy of respect.' In modern usage, this idiom is often used by elders to praise the potential and achievements of younger people, emphasizing the idea that youth can exceed expectations and achieve greatness.
Examples
English: "The new students impressed everyone with their innovative ideas and fresh perspectives"
Chinese: 新生们以他们的创新想法和新鲜视角让大家刮目相看
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 后生可畏 mean in English?
后生可畏 (hòu shēng kě wèi) literally translates to “Younger generation admirable” and is used to express “Youthful potential”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 后生可畏 used?
Situation: The new students impressed everyone with their innovative ideas and fresh perspectives
What is the pinyin for 后生可畏?
The pinyin pronunciation for 后生可畏 is “hòu shēng kě wèi”.