从善如流(從善如流)
从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú) literally means “follow good like flowing water”and expresses “readily accept good advice”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: cong shan ru liu, cong shan ru liu,从善如流 meaning, 从善如流 in english
Pronunciation: cóng shàn rú liú Literal meaning: Follow good like flowing water
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes following (从) what is good (善) like (如) flowing water (流). It comes from Zuozhuan describing Duke Huan of Jin who accepted good advice as naturally as water flows downhill. The phrase praises adaptability in accepting wisdom. Modern usage describes people who readily adopt good ideas without ego resistance, flowing toward improvement naturally.
When to Use
Situation: She readily accepts good suggestions from her team.
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Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Quit while ahead; take profits
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Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 从善如流 mean in English?
从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú) literally translates to “Follow good like flowing water”and is used to express “Readily accept good advice”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 从善如流 used?
Situation: She readily accepts good suggestions from her team.
What is the pinyin for 从善如流?
The pinyin pronunciation for 从善如流 is “cóng shàn rú liú”.