簸之扬之，糠秕在前 — “To feel inferior to others”

簸之扬之，糠秕在前 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to feel inferior to others”. Likening oneself to chaff or worthless things. Literally, “To winnow and toss, the chaff is ahead”.

Frequency

簸之扬之，糠秕在前 Pronunciation and Pinyin

簸之扬之，糠秕在前 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
簸	bǒ	19	winnowing basket; to winnow
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
扬	yáng	6	raise, praise, or scatter
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
，	，	—
糠	kāng	17	grain husk or bran
秕	bǐ	9	unfilled or shriveled grain
在	zài	6	to be at or in
前	qián	9	forward, before, previous

Example Sentence with 簸之扬之，糠秕在前

面对这样杰出的团队，他不禁感叹自己真是簸之扬之，糠秕在前

Facing such an outstanding team, he couldn't help but sigh that he was truly like chaff tossed and winnowed, feeling inferior.

Origin and Story of 簸之扬之，糠秕在前

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the high official Sima Yu invited two prominent figures, Wang Tanzhi and Fan Qi, for an important discussion. Although Fan Qi was older, Wang Tanzhi held a higher official rank.

As they approached the meeting place, both courteously insisted the other go first, engaging in a moment of polite deference. Wang Tanzhi, finally stepping ahead, lightheartedly remarked, '簸之扬之，糠秕在前' (To winnow and toss, the chaff is ahead), subtly implying his own perceived lesser worth compared to Fan Qi, just as chaff is lighter and goes ahead.

Fan Qi, quick-witted and ready with a retort, immediately replied, '淘啊汰啊，沙砾在后' (To wash and sift, the gravel remains behind), cleverly suggesting that while Wang Tanzhi might be like the 'chaff' moving forward, he himself, like 'gravel,' possessed more substance and would endure, despite following behind.

This witty exchange became a famous anecdote illustrating their humor and intellectual repartee.