三顾茅庐

Pronunciation: sān gù máo lú Literal meaning: Three visits to the thatched cottage

Origin & Usage

The idiom 三顾茅庐 (sān gù máo lú) originates from the historical account of Liu Bei's persistent efforts to recruit the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Liu Bei, determined to restore the Han dynasty amidst the chaos of the Three Kingdoms period, visited Zhuge Liang's humble thatched cottage (茅庐, máo lú) three times (三顾, sān gù) to persuade him to join his cause. Despite initial setbacks, Liu Bei's sincerity and perseverance eventually convinced Zhuge Liang to become his advisor, significantly contributing to the establishment of the Shu Han state. The idiom illustrates the importance of patience and genuine respect when seeking assistance or talent. In modern usage, it signifies sincere and repeated invitations or efforts to enlist someone's help.

Examples

English: "His persistence in seeking the expert's advice was reminiscent of the three visits to the thatched cottage."

Chinese: 他坚持不懈地寻求专家的建议，令人想起三顾茅庐。