断杼择邻 — “Cut the shuttle, choose the neighbor”
断杼择邻 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to emphasize the importance of choosing a suitable environment and persevering in studies, drawing lessons from Mencius's mother who moved her home to find a better neighborhood for his upbringing and illustrated the folly of abandoning studies midway by cutting her loom's threads”. Literally, “Cut the shuttle, choose the neighbor”.
断杼择邻 Pronunciation and Pinyin
断杼择邻 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 断杼择邻
Origin and Story of 断杼择邻
During the Warring States period, Mencius was very intelligent as a child. He lived near a funeral ground and often imitated the trumpets of funeral processions. His mother, worried about him neglecting his studies, moved their home to the city.
However, their new home was next to a butcher shop, and Mencius quickly learned how to slaughter pigs and sheep. Concerned once more, Mencius's mother decided to move again, this time to a house near a school.
From then on, Mencius began to diligently study the teachings of Confucius and eventually became one of the greatest philosophers of his time.
Idioms Related to 断杼择邻
More idioms starting with 断
- duàn断hū乎bù不kě可Absolutely not allowed
- duàn断shì事yǐ以lǐ理judge matters by reason
- duàn断shì事rú如shén神make incredibly accurate judgments
- duàn断jǐng井tuí颓yuán垣dilapidated courtyard
- duàn断jué决rú如liú流make quick and decisive judgments
- duàn断fú凫xù续hè鹤go against natural laws
- duàn断fà发wén文shēn身ancient custom of cutting hair and tattooing body
- duàn断fà发wén纹shēn身ancient custom of cutting hair and tattooing body
- duàn断guī圭suì碎bì璧precious literary fragments
- duàn断yuán垣cán残bì壁crumbling ruins
- duàn断mò墨cán残chǔ楮incomplete ancient texts
- duàn断bì壁cán残yuán垣ruins and dilapidated walls
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Open the tool →Questions about 断杼择邻
What does 断杼择邻 mean?
断杼择邻 (duàn zhù zé lín) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to emphasize the importance of choosing a suitable environment and persevering in studies, drawing lessons from Mencius's mother who moved her home to find a better neighborhood for his upbringing and illustrated the folly of abandoning studies midway by cutting her loom's threads”.
How do you pronounce 断杼择邻?
断杼择邻 is pronounced duàn zhù zé lín in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 断杼择邻 literally mean?
Literally, 断杼择邻 means “Cut the shuttle, choose the neighbor”. It is used to mean “to emphasize the importance of choosing a suitable environment and persevering in studies, drawing lessons from Mencius's mother who moved her home to find a better neighborhood for his upbringing and illustrated the folly of abandoning studies midway by cutting her loom's threads”.
Where does 断杼择邻 come from?
断杼择邻 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 断杼择邻?
孟母为了教育孟子不要中途荒废学业，用被割断的纱不成布来做比喻；孟母三迁居处，选择良好的环境，来影响孟子的成长。