# 毛遂自荐

máo suì zì jiàn

Volunteer or recommend oneself for a role

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Mao Sui recommends himself

**Traditional Chinese:** 毛遂自薦

**Register:** Modest · general

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

## When to use it

Introduce a self-offer modestly and confidently.

Make the offer specific and respect refusal.

## Understanding the expression

The named person's act becomes a model for stepping forward instead of waiting to be noticed. Modern use describes offering one's own services, applying for a task, or suggesting oneself for a role. It can be confident without being boastful, especially when the person explains the relevant ability. The expression often softens a direct self recommendation. A useful offer still leaves the other side free to judge suitability and choose another person.

## Examples

我想毛遂自荐，负责摄影。

### Traditional Chinese

我想毛遂自薦，負責攝影。

wǒ xiǎng máo suì zì jiàn ， fù zé shè yǐng 。

I would like to volunteer for the photography.

她毛遂自荐，申请带队。

### Traditional Chinese

她毛遂自薦，申請帶隊。

tā máo suì zì jiàn ， shēn qǐng dài duì 。

She offered herself as team leader.

他毛遂自荐做活动主持。

### Traditional Chinese

他毛遂自薦做活動主持。

tā máo suì zì jiàn zuò huó dòng zhǔ chí 。

He volunteered to host the event.

新人毛遂自荐，提出试做一周。

### Traditional Chinese

新人毛遂自薦，提出試做一週。

xīn rén máo suì zì jiàn ， tí chū shì zuò yì zhōu 。

The newcomer recommended himself and offered a week's trial.

## 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=%E6%AF%9B%E9%81%82%E8%87%AA%E8%96%A6)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=291&webMd=1&la=0)

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