# 温故知新

wēn gù zhī xīn

Gain fresh insight by revisiting old knowledge

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Review the old and understand the new

**Traditional Chinese:** 溫故知新

**Register:** Positive · learning

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Use when review reveals new understanding.

It is more than memorizing the same material again.

## Behind the words

The Analects connects revisiting what one knows with acquiring new understanding. Review is presented as a source of insight.

故 refers to what was learned before, while 新 points to fresh understanding. The expression goes beyond repeating old information: revisiting it allows a person to see connections or implications that were not apparent earlier. It fits rereading, review, and reflection. New experience can change what one notices in familiar material.

## Examples

重读以前的笔记，也能温故知新。

### Traditional Chinese

重讀以前的筆記，也能溫故知新。

zhòng dú yǐ qián de bǐ jì ， yě néng wēn gù zhī xīn 。

Rereading old notes can bring fresh insights.

重新读旧笔记时，我温故知新，发现了以前忽略的联系。

### Traditional Chinese

重新讀舊筆記時，我溫故知新，發現了以前忽略的聯繫。

chóng xīn dú jiù bǐ jì shí ， wǒ wēn gù zhī xīn ， fā xiàn le yǐ qián hū lüè de lián xì 。

Reviewing old notes gave me new insights into connections I had missed.

这次复习让学生温故知新，而不只是重复答案。

### Traditional Chinese

這次複習讓學生溫故知新，而不只是重複答案。

zhè cì fù xí ràng xué shēng wēn gù zhī xīn ， ér bù zhǐ shì chóng fù dá àn 。

The review helped students gain new understanding rather than simply repeat answers.

重读这本书，我又有了温故知新的感觉。

### Traditional Chinese

重讀這本書，我又有了溫故知新的感覺。

zhòng dú zhè běn shū ， wǒ yòu yǒu le wēn gù zhī xīn de gǎn jué 。

Rereading the book brought fresh insights into familiar material.

## 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=1010&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%BA%AB%E6%95%85%E7%9F%A5%E6%96%B0)

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