# 孺子可教

rú zǐ kě jiào

A young learner shows promise and willingness to learn

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The youngster can be taught

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Praise a young person's receptive and promising response.

It is a traditional compliment and can sound patronizing outside a suitable relationship.

## The image & its use

A learner who listens carefully, asks a thoughtful question, and applies a correction shows qualities worth encouraging. This traditional expression praises that promise. It focuses on the possibility of further growth rather than claiming that the learner has already mastered everything. The words suit a teacher's appreciative observation, sometimes with a lightly literary tone. Used toward an adult colleague, they can sound condescending. A direct compliment about the specific effort or insight may fit better when the relationship is between equals.

## Examples

看到他认真改正错误，老师笑着说孺子可教。

### Traditional Chinese

看到他認真改正錯誤，老師笑著說孺子可教。

kàn dào tā rèn zhēn gǎi zhèng cuò wù ， lǎo shī xiào zhe shuō rú zǐ kě jiào 。

Seeing him carefully correct the mistake, the teacher praised his promise as a learner.

她能主动提出问题，确实孺子可教。

### Traditional Chinese

她能主動提出問題，確實孺子可教。

tā néng zhǔ dòng tí chū wèn tí ， què shí rú zǐ kě jiào 。

Her willingness to ask questions shows real promise.

这位小朋友耐心练习，让人觉得孺子可教。

### Traditional Chinese

這位小朋友耐心練習，讓人覺得孺子可教。

zhè wèi xiǎo péng yǒu nài xīn liàn xí ， ràng rén jué de rú zǐ kě jiào 。

The child's patient practice shows a promising willingness to learn.

孺子可教是鼓励，也提醒我们继续用心指导。

### Traditional Chinese

孺子可教是鼓勵，也提醒我們繼續用心指導。

rú zǐ kě jiào shì gǔ lì ， yě tí xǐng wǒ men jì xù yòng xīn zhǐ dǎo 。

The compliment encourages the learner and reminds us to keep guiding thoughtfully.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1458&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%AD%BA%E5%AD%90%E5%8F%AF%E6%95%99)

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