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吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗
吐哺辍洗

吐哺辍洗 — “Spit out food and stop washing”

吐哺辍洗 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to stop eating (spit out food) or interrupt one's washing to receive a guest, demonstrating profound respect and eagerness to welcome worthy and talented individuals; to show great courtesy to scholars and people of ability”. Literally, “spit out food and stop washing”.

Frequency

吐哺辍洗 Pronunciation and Pinyin

吐哺辍洗 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
吐
tǔ6expel from mouth
哺
bǔ10feed and nurture
辍
chuò12stop or cease
洗
xǐ9to wash or cleanse

Example Sentence with 吐哺辍洗

老教授对待年轻学者总是吐哺辍洗,生怕怠慢了他们,可见其求贤若渴之心
The old professor always showed extreme respect for young scholars, fearing he might neglect them, which demonstrated his eagerness to seek out talent.

Origin and Story of 吐哺辍洗

In the late Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang was stationed in Chenliu County. Li Yiji, a man of extraordinary talent and learning, came to join Liu Bang. At that time, Liu Bang was washing his feet.

Li Yiji refused to bow and criticized Liu Bang for disrespecting an elder. Upon hearing this, Liu Bang immediately stood up, apologized, and invited Li Yiji to take the seat of honor.

Later, Li Yiji became Liu Bang's capable advisor, strategizing for him to unify the empire.

Idioms Related to 吐哺辍洗

Synonyms of 吐哺辍洗

  • tǔ吐bǔ哺wò握fà发eagerly seek out and honor talent

More idioms starting with 吐

  • tǔ吐sī丝zì自fù缚Caught in one's own web
  • tǔ吐gāng刚rú茹róu柔bully the weak and fear the strong
  • tǔ吐bǔ哺zhuō捉fā发go to great lengths to attract talent
  • tǔ吐shǔ属bù不fán凡speak with unusual eloquence
  • tǔ吐xīn心tǔ吐dǎn胆to bare one's soul
  • tǔ吐gù故nà纳xīn新discard the old, absorb the new
  • tǔ吐qì气yáng扬méi眉feel proud and elated
  • tǔ吐zhū珠yú于zé泽,,shuí谁néng能bù不hán含Everyone contends for unguarded power
  • tǔ吐gān肝lù露dǎn胆Speak frankly and sincerely
  • tǔ吐dǎn胆qīng倾xīn心to bare one's heart
  • tǔ吐shí食wò握fā发eagerly seek and attract talent

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Questions about 吐哺辍洗

What does 吐哺辍洗 mean?

吐哺辍洗 (tǔ bǔ chuò xǐ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to stop eating (spit out food) or interrupt one's washing to receive a guest, demonstrating profound respect and eagerness to welcome worthy and talented individuals; to show great courtesy to scholars and people of ability”.

How do you pronounce 吐哺辍洗?

吐哺辍洗 is pronounced tǔ bǔ chuò xǐ in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 吐哺辍洗 literally mean?

Literally, 吐哺辍洗 means “spit out food and stop washing”. It is used to mean “to stop eating (spit out food) or interrupt one's washing to receive a guest, demonstrating profound respect and eagerness to welcome worthy and talented individuals; to show great courtesy to scholars and people of ability”.

Where does 吐哺辍洗 come from?

吐哺辍洗 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 吐哺辍洗?

后世以之为礼贤下士之典实。

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