# 平易近人

píng yì jìn rén

Be approachable and unpretentious

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be easy and close to people

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Praise a person who communicates without status barriers.

Also describes accessible writing; approachability is not lack of expertise.

## Understanding the expression

The expression removes distance between someone and the people around them. A respected teacher or leader can make others comfortable asking questions instead of emphasizing rank. It can also praise writing that communicates clearly without unnecessary difficulty. The quality is accessibility, not weakness or simplicity of thought. A person may hold demanding standards while remaining easy to approach, and a clear text may explain a complex idea with considerable skill.

## Examples

这位教授平易近人，欢迎学生提问。

### Traditional Chinese

這位教授平易近人，歡迎學生提問。

zhè wèi jiào shòu píng yì jìn rén ， huān yíng xué shēng tí wèn 。

The professor is approachable and welcomes questions.

她职位很高，却平易近人。

### Traditional Chinese

她職位很高，卻平易近人。

tā zhí wèi hěn gāo ， què píng yì jìn rén 。

Despite her senior position, she is unpretentious.

这本科学书写得平易近人。

### Traditional Chinese

這本科學書寫得平易近人。

zhè běn kē xué shū xiě dé píng yì jìn rén 。

The science book is written accessibly.

经理平易近人，大家愿意反映问题。

### Traditional Chinese

經理平易近人，大家願意反映問題。

jīng lǐ píng yì jìn rén ， dà jiā yuàn yì fǎn yìng wèn tí 。

The approachable manager encourages people to raise problems.

## 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=%E5%B9%B3%E6%98%93%E8%BF%91%E4%BA%BA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=593&webMd=1&la=0)

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