# 三教九流

sān jiào jiǔ liú

People from many walks of life

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Three teachings and nine schools

**Register:** Descriptive · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe a wide social mixture in a setting or story.

Can sound dismissive; do not treat backgrounds as evidence of character.

## Understanding the expression

The names of teachings and schools broaden into a picture of people from varied backgrounds and occupations. Modern use often describes the mixed company found in a busy port, market, or adventurous story. The phrase can be neutral, but it sometimes carries a dismissive suggestion of questionable company. That tone deserves care. Differences in trade, education, or social status do not establish moral quality, and a respectful description can emphasize variety rather than suspicion.

## Examples

码头聚集了三教九流的人。

### Traditional Chinese

碼頭聚集了三教九流的人。

mǎ tóu jù jí le sān jiào jiǔ liú de rén 。

The docks attracted people from many walks of life.

小说人物涵盖三教九流。

### Traditional Chinese

小說人物涵蓋三教九流。

xiǎo shuō rén wù hán gài sān jiào jiǔ liú 。

The novel's characters span many social backgrounds.

他工作中接触三教九流，见识很广。

### Traditional Chinese

他工作中接觸三教九流，見識很廣。

tā gōng zuò zhōng jiē chù sān jiào jiǔ liú ， jiàn shi hěn guǎng 。

His work brings broad contact with many kinds of people.

不能用三教九流来贬低普通劳动者。

### Traditional Chinese

不能用三教九流來貶低普通勞動者。

bù néng yòng sān jiào jiǔ liú lái biǎn dī pǔ tōng láo dòng zhě 。

The phrase should not belittle ordinary workers.

## 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=%E4%B8%89%E6%95%99%E4%B9%9D%E6%B5%81)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=630&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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