# 抛砖引玉

pāo zhuān yǐn yù

Offer a modest idea to invite better ones

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Throw a brick to draw out jade

**Traditional Chinese:** 拋磚引玉

**Register:** Modest · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Introduce your own contribution modestly.

Usually self use, not criticism of others.

## Understanding the expression

A brick is ordinary, while jade is precious. The speaker calls their own contribution the lesser material in hope that it will draw out something more valuable from others. Modern use is a courteous opening in discussions, presentations, or creative exchanges. The modesty may be conventional rather than literal. It encourages participation and makes room for improvement without requiring the first idea to be worthless or poorly considered.

## Examples

我先抛砖引玉，说个想法。

### Traditional Chinese

我先拋磚引玉，說個想法。

wǒ xiān pāo zhuān yǐn yù ， shuō gè xiǎng fǎ 。

I will offer an idea to start the discussion.

她用草图抛砖引玉。

### Traditional Chinese

她用草圖拋磚引玉。

tā yòng cǎo tú pāo zhuān yǐn yù 。

She used a sketch to invite further ideas.

这段发言只是抛砖引玉。

### Traditional Chinese

這段發言只是拋磚引玉。

zhè duàn fā yán zhǐ shì pāo zhuān yǐn yù 。

These remarks are only a starting contribution.

先分享经验，抛砖引玉，欢迎补充。

### Traditional Chinese

先分享經驗，拋磚引玉，歡迎補充。

xiān fēn xiǎng jīng yàn ， pāo zhuān yǐn yù ， huān yíng bǔ chōng 。

I will share experience to invite your additions.

## 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%8B%8B%E7%A3%9A%E5%BC%95%E7%8E%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=126&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [平分秋色 píng fēn qiū sè Be equally matched or share distinction equally ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ping-fen-qiu-se)

- [萍水相逢 píng shuǐ xiāng féng Meet by chance as strangers ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ping-shui-xiang-feng)

- [平易近人 píng yì jìn rén Be approachable and unpretentious ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ping-yi-jin-ren)

- [破镜重圆 pò jìng chóng yuán Restore a broken romantic relationship ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/po-jing-chong-yuan)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 旁若无人 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/pang-ruo-wu-ren) [Next idiom 鹏程万里 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/peng-cheng-wan-li)