# 虚怀若谷

xū huái ruò gǔ

Remain modest and receptive to others

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** An open heart is like a valley

**Traditional Chinese:** 虛懷若谷

**Register:** Positive · literary

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

## When to use it

Praise willingness to learn and accept advice.

Open-mindedness need not mean agreeing with every suggestion.

## Understanding the expression

A valley has room to receive what enters it, making openness a positive form of emptiness rather than a lack of knowledge. The expression praises someone who does not let achievement block further learning. They can hear criticism, ask questions, and acknowledge limits. It is not passive agreement with every opinion. A receptive person can examine advice carefully and reject weak reasons while still respecting the speaker and remaining willing to revise their own understanding.

## Examples

她经验丰富，仍虚怀若谷。

### Traditional Chinese

她經驗豐富，仍虛懷若谷。

tā jīng yàn fēng fù ， réng xū huái ruò gǔ 。

She remains receptive despite her experience.

老师虚怀若谷，接受学生纠正。

### Traditional Chinese

老師虛懷若谷，接受學生糾正。

lǎo shī xū huái ruò gǔ ， jiē shòu xué shēng jiū zhèng 。

The teacher modestly accepts a student's correction.

领导虚怀若谷，愿意听不同意见。

### Traditional Chinese

領導虛懷若谷，願意聽不同意見。

lǐng dǎo xū huái ruò gǔ ， yuàn yì tīng bù tóng yì jiàn 。

The leader welcomes differing views.

真正的专家常虚怀若谷。

### Traditional Chinese

真正的專家常虛懷若谷。

zhēn zhèng de zhuān jiā cháng xū huái ruò gǔ 。

Genuine experts often remain modest and open-minded.

## 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=%E8%99%9B%E6%87%B7%E8%8B%A5%E8%B0%B7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=680&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [虚与委蛇 xū yǔ wēi yí Deal with someone through feigned civility ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xu-yu-wei-yi)

- [雪中送炭 xuě zhōng sòng tàn Give help when it’s most needed ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xue-zhong-song-tan)

- [循循善诱 xún xún shàn yòu Guide someone patiently and skillfully ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xun-xun-shan-you)

- [哑口无言 yǎ kǒu wú yán Be left unable to reply ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ya-kou-wu-yan)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 秀外慧中 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiu-wai-hui-zhong) [Next idiom 栩栩如生 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xu-xu-ru-sheng)