# 不耻下问

bù chǐ xià wèn

Learn without embarrassment from those ranked below

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Do not feel shame in asking downward

**Traditional Chinese:** 不恥下問

**Register:** Appreciative · formal

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise humility in seeking knowledge.

Avoid implying lower status means lower human worth.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase challenges the idea that rank or seniority should prevent learning. A person asks someone younger, less senior, or lower in a hierarchy because that person knows something useful. Modern use praises openness and intellectual humility. The direction is social, not a judgment of intelligence. Knowledge is distributed unevenly, so a leader can gain much by listening to a junior colleague without treating the exchange as a loss of dignity.

## Examples

经理不耻下问，向新人请教。

### Traditional Chinese

經理不恥下問，向新人請教。

jīng lǐ bù chǐ xià wèn ， xiàng xīn rén qǐng jiào 。

The manager willingly learns from the newcomer.

爷爷不耻下问，问我手机怎么用。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺不恥下問，問我手機怎麼用。

yé ye bù chǐ xià wèn ， wèn wǒ shǒu jī zěn me yòng 。

Grandpa freely asks me how to use the phone.

她不耻下问，学会了新技巧。

### Traditional Chinese

她不恥下問，學會了新技巧。

tā bù chǐ xià wèn ， xué huì le xīn jì qiǎo 。

Her willingness to ask others helped her learn new skills.

有经验也要不耻下问。

### Traditional Chinese

有經驗也要不恥下問。

yǒu jīng yàn yě yào bù chǐ xià wèn 。

Even experienced people should be willing to ask and learn.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E6%81%A5%E4%B8%8B%E5%95%8F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=167&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [不得要领 bù dé yào lǐng Fail to grasp the essential point ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-de-yao-ling)

- [不假思索 bù jiǎ sī suǒ Respond immediately without pausing to think ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-jia-si-suo)

- [不屈不挠 bù qū bù náo Remain determined despite pressure or setbacks ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-qu-bu-nao)

- [不学无术 bù xué wú shù Ignorant and lacking useful skills ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-xue-wu-shu)

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