负荆请罪(負荊請罪)
负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally means “carry thorns request punishment”and expresses “sincerely admit fault and accept consequences”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.
Also searched as: fu jing qing zui, fu jing qing zui,负荆请罪 meaning, 负荆请罪 in english
Pronunciation: fù jīng qǐng zuì Literal meaning: Carry thorns request punishment
Origin & Usage
The 'Records of the Grand Historian' tells how general Lin Xiangru carried thorns (负荆) while requesting punishment (请罪) to demonstrate sincere regret for insulting fellow general Lian Po. Han Dynasty writers transformed this specific incident into a broader symbol of genuine remorse backed by willingness to accept consequences. The physical discomfort of carrying thorns proved more convincing than mere verbal apology.
When to Use
Situation: The executive publicly apologized for the company's environmental violations
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Related Chinese Idioms
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bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
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朝思暮想
zhāo sī mù xiǎng
Think about constantly; yearn for
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魂牵梦萦
hún qiān mèng yíng
Yearn day and night
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liàn liàn bù shě
Be deeply reluctant to leave
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nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
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hǎi kū shí làn
Until the end of time; eternal love
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一见钟情
yī jiàn zhōng qíng
Love at first sight
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bái tóu xié lǎo
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 负荆请罪 mean in English?
负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally translates to “Carry thorns request punishment”and is used to express “Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..
When is 负荆请罪 used?
Situation: The executive publicly apologized for the company's environmental violations
What is the pinyin for 负荆请罪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 负荆请罪 is “fù jīng qǐng zuì”.
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