# 三顾茅庐

sān gù máo lú

Make repeated sincere invitations

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Visit the thatched cottage three times

**Traditional Chinese:** 三顧茅廬

**Register:** Respectful · literary

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

## When to use it

Use for persistent efforts to recruit or seek help from someone respected.

It implies sincerity and respect, not pestering unwilling people.

## Behind the words

Traditional accounts describe Liu Bei’s repeated visits to Zhuge Liang. The visits became an image of sincere efforts to seek talented help.

The familiar account of Liu Bei seeking Zhuge Liang makes repeated personal visits a sign of sincere respect for talent. Modern use can describe persistent invitations or requests for advice. The emphasis is on humility and earnestness, not mechanically making exactly three calls. Respect also includes accepting a refusal; the idiom does not justify pressuring someone who has clearly declined.

## Examples

为了请她加入团队，负责人几乎三顾茅庐。

### Traditional Chinese

為了請她加入團隊，負責人幾乎三顧茅廬。

wèi le qǐng tā jiā rù tuán duì ， fù zé rén jī hū sān gù máo lú 。

The team lead made repeated sincere efforts to persuade her to join.

为了请她担任顾问，负责人三顾茅庐，多次亲自拜访。

### Traditional Chinese

為了請她擔任顧問，負責人三顧茅廬，多次親自拜訪。

wèi le qǐng tā dān rèn gù wèn ， fù zé rén sān gù máo lú ， duō cì qīn zì bài fǎng 。

The organizer visited her repeatedly in person to sincerely invite her to be an adviser.

我们几次邀请这位老师，算是三顾茅庐了。

### Traditional Chinese

我們幾次邀請這位老師，算是三顧茅廬了。

wǒ men jǐ cì yāo qǐng zhè wèi lǎo shī ， suàn shì sān gù máo lú liǎo 。

We have invited this teacher several times, showing persistent sincerity.

他肯放下架子，三顾茅庐地请教专家。

### Traditional Chinese

他肯放下架子，三顧茅廬地請教專家。

tā kěn fàng xià jià zi ， sān gù máo lú dì qǐng jiào zhuān jiā 。

He was willing to set aside his status and repeatedly seek the expert's guidance.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1100&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%89%E9%A1%A7%E8%8C%85%E5%BB%AC)

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