人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 — “One cannot judge a person by their looks, just as the sea cannot be measured by a bushel”
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “this idiom suggests that one should never judge a person solely by their outward appearance, as their true character, abilities, or depth of potential might be far greater than what is superficially visible. It implies that inner qualities are more significant than external looks”. Literally, “One cannot judge a person by their looks, just as the sea cannot be measured by a bushel”.
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 Pronunciation and Pinyin
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
Origin and Story of 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
In ancient times, there was an oil seller named Qin Zhong who fell deeply in love with a renowned courtesan, Hua Kui Niangzi. He was utterly devoted to her. Hua Kui also developed a strong affection for him.
To gather the ten taels of silver required for a single night's lodging with her, Qin Zhong painstakingly saved and scrimped every penny. Even the clerk at the silver shop, witnessing his dedication and efforts, was moved to exclaim, "Indeed, one cannot judge a person by their appearance, just as the vastness of the sea cannot be measured by a mere dipper!"
Later, Hua Kui managed to escape the hardships of the brothel and married Qin Zhong. The couple lived a long and loving life together.
Idioms Related to 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
Synonyms of 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
Antonyms of 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
More idioms starting with 人
- rén人yī一jǐ己bǎi百make hundredfold effort to catch up
- rén人dīng丁xīng兴wàng旺a flourishing and growing family
- rén人bù不wèi为jǐ己，，tiān天zhū诛dì地miè灭Heaven and Earth condemn the unselfish
- rén人bù不rén人，，guǐ鬼bù不guǐ鬼looking ghastly or grotesque
- rén人bù不fàn犯wǒ我，，wǒ我bù不fàn犯rén人I will not offend unless offended
- rén人bù不zhī知，，guǐ鬼bù不jué觉done in complete secrecy
- rén人bù不liáo聊shēng生people can't make a living
- rén人bù不zì自ān安people are feeling uneasy
- rén人shì世cāng沧sāng桑the vicissitudes of human life
- rén人zhōng中zhī之lóng龙an outstanding person
- rén人zhōng中shī狮zǐ子preeminent person
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Open the tool →Questions about 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
What does 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 mean?
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 (rén bù kě mào xiàng ， hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “this idiom suggests that one should never judge a person solely by their outward appearance, as their true character, abilities, or depth of potential might be far greater than what is superficially visible. It implies that inner qualities are more significant than external looks”.
How do you pronounce 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量?
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 is pronounced rén bù kě mào xiàng ， hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 literally mean?
Literally, 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 means “one cannot judge a person by their looks, just as the sea cannot be measured by a bushel”. It is used to mean “this idiom suggests that one should never judge a person solely by their outward appearance, as their true character, abilities, or depth of potential might be far greater than what is superficially visible. It implies that inner qualities are more significant than external looks”.
Where does 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 come from?
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量?
相：估量，评价。指不能以貌取人就像海水不能用斗来量一样