# 以身作则

yǐ shēn zuò zé

Lead through one's own example

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Use oneself as the model

**Traditional Chinese:** 以身作則

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Encourage consistency between requests and personal conduct.

An example helps others without removing their own choices.

## The image & its use

The phrase puts action beside instruction. A person who asks for punctuality arrives on time, or someone encouraging careful work checks their own contribution. The example makes an expectation easier to understand and trust. It is often used about parents, teachers, and team leaders, but anyone can provide a useful model. The emphasis is consistency rather than perfection. Acknowledge mistakes and correct them openly when they occur, which can itself demonstrate the desired approach.

## Examples

老师以身作则，按时归还借书。

### Traditional Chinese

老師以身作則，按時歸還借書。

lǎo shī yǐ shēn zuò zé ， àn shí guī huán jiè shū 。

The teacher led by example and returned borrowed books on time.

她要求大家认真，自己也以身作则。

### Traditional Chinese

她要求大家認真，自己也以身作則。

tā yāo qiú dà jiā rèn zhēn ， zì jǐ yě yǐ shēn zuò zé 。

She asked everyone to work carefully and did so herself.

整理教室时，班长以身作则。

### Traditional Chinese

整理教室時，班長以身作則。

zhěng lǐ jiào shì shí ， bān zhǎng yǐ shēn zuò zé 。

The class monitor set an example while tidying the classroom.

以身作则比空说更有说服力。

### Traditional Chinese

以身作則比空說更有說服力。

yǐ shēn zuò zé bǐ kōng shuō gèng yǒu shuō fú lì 。

Leading by example is more convincing than words alone.

## 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=1108&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%BB%A5%E8%BA%AB%E4%BD%9C%E5%89%87)

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