candid admonition; frank counsel; straightforward remonstrance
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
candid words of admonition; frank advice intended to correct someone's faults
literaryA literary term (marked with 〈书〉) used in formal writing or speech to describe straightforward, often blunt criticism or advice given with the intention of helping someone recognize and correct their mistakes. Often appears in the proverb "良药苦口利于病，诤言逆耳利于行".
Tā他
gǎn敢
yú于
zhí直
yán言
jìn进
jiàn谏
，
duō多
cì次
shàng上
shū书
zhèng诤
yán言
。
He dared to speak frankly and remonstrate, submitting candid admonitions in memorials many times.
Liáng良
yào药
kǔ苦
kǒu口
lì利
yú于
bìng病
，
zhèng诤
yán言
nì逆
ěr耳
lì利
yú于
xíng行
。
Good medicine tastes bitter but helps cure illness; candid advice grates on the ear but helps conduct.
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Zhè这
xiē些
zhèng诤
yán言
suī虽
rán然
cì刺
ěr耳
，
què却
shì是
wèi为
le了
tā他
hǎo好
。
These frank admonitions, though harsh to the ear, are for his own good.