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
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”.
Curated Lists Featuring 后生可畏
10 Chinese Idioms About Bold Decisions & Taking Risks
Discover 10 powerful Chinese idioms about gambling everything, making daring moves, and the courage to take decisive action.
10 Chinese Idioms About Respecting Elders & Aging for Double Ninth Festival
Chinese idioms about honoring elders, aging gracefully, and the wisdom that comes with experience — for Chongyang Festival (重阳节), China's Senior Citizens' Day.