promising youth worth teaching
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
said of a young person who shows promise and is worth teaching; promising youth with potential
literaryOriginating from the Shiji story of Zhang Liang and the old man on the bridge. Used to praise young people who are intelligent, respectful, and have great potential. Often used in the full form '孺子可教也'.
Zhè这
hái孩
zi子
xū虚
xīn心
hào好
xué学
，
zhēn真
shì是
rú孺
zǐ子
kě可
jiào教
。
This child is modest and eager to learn—truly a promising youth worth teaching.
Dǎo导
shī师
fā发
xiàn现
tā他
rú孺
zǐ子
kě可
jiào教
，
biàn便
qīng倾
náng囊
xiāng相
shòu授
。
The mentor found him to be a promising student worth teaching, and shared all his knowledge.
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Bié别
kàn看
tā他
nián年
jì纪
xiǎo小
，
dàn但
hěn很
yǒu有
zhǔ主
jiàn见
，
kě可
wèi谓
rú孺
zǐ子
kě可
jiào教
。
Don't look at his young age—he has strong opinions and can certainly be taught.
Huáng黄
shí石
gōng公
zàn赞
tàn叹
dào道
：
'
Rú孺
zǐ子
kě可
jiào教
yě也
！
'
Old Man Huang exclaimed: 'This child can be taught!'