数典忘祖 — “To forget one's origins or roots”
数典忘祖 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to forget one's origins or roots”. To be ignorant of one's heritage or history. Literally, “enumerate past records but forget one's ancestors' duties”.
数典忘祖 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 数shǔ
- 典diǎn
- 忘wàng
- 祖zǔ
数典忘祖 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 数典忘祖
Origin and Story of 数典忘祖
The idiom 'Shǔ Diǎn Wàng Zǔ' originates from the 'Zuo Zhuan' (Commentary of Zuo), a historical commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. During the Spring and Autumn period, Ji Tan, a high-ranking official from the State of Jin, was sent as an envoy to the Zhou court.
At a banquet, King Jing of Zhou asked Ji Tan why Jin had not presented any tribute. Ji Tan replied that Jin had never received any rewards or grants from the Zhou royal family, implying there was no reason to offer tribute.
King Jing then proceeded to list various historical records and precedents where the Zhou royal family had bestowed gifts and honors upon the State of Jin, including the appointment of Ji Tan's ancestors as record-keepers for historical documents and ceremonies.
The King then sternly questioned Ji Tan, asking how he, as a descendant of such an esteemed family responsible for preserving historical records, could 'enumerate the classics but forget his own ancestors' duties and the historical facts.' This phrase, '數典忘其祖' (shǔ diǎn wàng qí zǔ), was later shortened to '數典忘祖' and became an idiom.
It is used to describe someone who forgets their origins or fundamental principles, or is ignorant of their own heritage and history, often implying a dismissive or ungrateful attitude.
Idioms Related to 数典忘祖
Synonyms of 数典忘祖
Antonyms of 数典忘祖
More idioms starting with 数
- shǔ数yī一shǔ数èr二one of the best
- shǔ数bù不shèng胜shǔ数too many to count
- shù数dōng东guā瓜，，dào道qié茄zi子ramble on about trivial things
- shǔ数jiǔ九hán寒tiān天the coldest days of winter
- shù数yǐ以wàn万jì计numbering in the tens of thousands
- shù数qí奇bù不ǒu偶plagued by misfortune
- shù数qí奇mìng命jiǎn蹇ill-fated and unlucky
- shǔ数wǎng往zhī知lái来Analyze past to predict future
- shǔ数bái白lùn论huáng黄to haggle over every penny
- shǔ数duǎn短lùn论cháng长criticize others' faults and shortcomings
- shǔ数mǐ米ér而chuī炊excessively frugal or extremely poor
- shǔ数mǐ米liáng量chái柴haggle over every ounce
Questions about 数典忘祖
- What does 数典忘祖 mean?
- 数典忘祖 (shǔ diǎn wàng zǔ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to forget one's origins or roots”.
- How do you pronounce 数典忘祖?
- 数典忘祖 is pronounced shǔ diǎn wàng zǔ in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 数典忘祖 literally mean?
- Literally, 数典忘祖 means “enumerate past records but forget one's ancestors' duties”. It is used to mean “to forget one's origins or roots”.
- Where does 数典忘祖 come from?
- 数典忘祖 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 数典忘祖?
- 数：数着说；典：指历来的制度、事迹。谈论历来的制度、事迹时，把自己祖先的职守都忘了。比喻忘本。也比喻对于本国历史的无知。