初出茅庐 — “To be new to a particular field or job”
初出茅庐 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be new to a particular field or job”. Inexperienced and fresh out of school or training, having just started a career or undertaken a new responsibility. Literally, “just stepping out of the thatched hut”.
初出茅庐 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 初chū
- 出chū
- 茅máo
- 庐lú
初出茅庐 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 初出茅庐
Origin and Story of 初出茅庐
Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage three times, finally persuading him to leave and appointing him as his chief military strategist. However, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were not convinced of his abilities.
Soon after, Cao Cao dispatched his general Xiahou Dun with an army of one hundred thousand to attack Xinye. Liu Bei consulted Zhuge Liang, who said, "I fear the generals will not obey my commands. I request to borrow Your Lord's seal and sword for authority." Liu Bei promptly handed the seal and sword to Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang then assembled the generals and began to issue orders. He ordered Guan Yu to lead a thousand men to ambush at Yu Mountain, letting the enemy's vanguard pass, and then to attack swiftly upon seeing a fire signal. Zhang Fei was to lead a thousand men to ambush in the valley, and after the fire signal, to charge towards Bowang City. Guan Ping and Liu Feng were to lead five hundred men, divided into two groups, to wait behind Bowang Slope, and immediately set fire upon the enemy's arrival. He also summoned Zhao Yun from Fancheng to be the vanguard, instructing him to feign defeat and not to win. Liu Bei was to lead a thousand men as reinforcement.
Guan Yu couldn't help but ask, "We are all going to battle; what will you do, Master?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I will remain in the city and await the outcome." Zhang Fei laughed loudly, saying, "We are all risking our lives, while you, Master, enjoy your leisure!" Zhuge Liang then declared, "The seal and sword are here. Those who disobey will be executed!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had nothing more to say, and left with cold sneers.
During the battle, all the generals acted according to Zhuge Liang's instructions, completely routing Cao Cao's troops, who abandoned their armor and weapons. Zhuge Liang, using his military strategies for the first time, displayed ingenious calculations and achieved a great victory. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others were utterly convinced and deeply impressed.
Idioms Related to 初出茅庐
Synonyms of 初出茅庐
Antonyms of 初出茅庐
More idioms starting with 初
- chū初xiě写huáng黄tíng庭Done with exquisite skill and precision
- chū初fā发fú芙róng蓉freshly bloomed lotus
- chū初dù度zhī之chén辰one's birthday
- chū初lái来zhà乍dào到new to a place or situation
- chū初shēng生zhī之dú犊fearless young person
- chū初shēng生zhī之dú犊bù不jù惧hǔ虎Young and inexperienced are often fearless
- chū初shēng生zhī之dú犊bù不wèi畏hǔ虎young and inexperienced, yet bold and fearless
- chū初shēng生niú牛dú犊bù不pà怕hǔ虎young and inexperienced, thus bold
- chū初shēng生dú犊fearless due to inexperience
- chū初shì试fēng锋máng芒make one's debut and show talent
Questions about 初出茅庐
- What does 初出茅庐 mean?
- 初出茅庐 (chū chū máo lú) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be new to a particular field or job”.
- How do you pronounce 初出茅庐?
- 初出茅庐 is pronounced chū chū máo lú in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 初出茅庐 literally mean?
- Literally, 初出茅庐 means “just stepping out of the thatched hut”. It is used to mean “to be new to a particular field or job”.
- Where does 初出茅庐 come from?
- 初出茅庐 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 初出茅庐?
- 茅庐：草房。原比喻新露头脚。现比喻刚离开家庭或学校出来工作。缺乏经验。