移樽就教
移樽就教 (yí zūn jiù jiào) literally means “move wine jar seek teaching” and expresses “humbly seek guidance”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: yi zun jiu jiao, yi zun jiu jiao,移樽就教 meaning, 移樽就教 in english
Humbly seek guidance
Pronunciation: yí zūn jiù jiào
Literal meaning: Move wine jar seek teaching
Origin & Usage
This humble gesture of moving (移) one's wine jar (樽) to seek (就) teaching (教) comes from a Tang Dynasty story where the young Li Bai showed his respect for the hermit-scholar Du Fu by bringing wine to learn from him. The act of bringing one's own wine represented both humility and sincerity in seeking knowledge. The imagery resonated particularly during the Song Dynasty when informal scholarly gatherings became crucial for intellectual exchange. Modern usage commends the humility to learn from others, especially across hierarchical or generational boundaries.
Examples
English: "The CEO personally visited experts to learn about new technologies"
Chinese: 首席执行官亲自拜访专家学习新技术
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dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 移樽就教 mean in English?
移樽就教 (yí zūn jiù jiào) literally translates to “Move wine jar seek teaching” and is used to express “Humbly seek guidance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 移樽就教 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving humbly seek guidance.
What is the pinyin for 移樽就教?
The pinyin pronunciation for 移樽就教 is “yí zūn jiù jiào”.