bat1 ci2 haa6 man6不恥下問不耻下问

Jyutpingbat1 ci2 haa6 man6

Yalebāt chí hah mahn

形容詞

Definition

Not being ashamed to ask or learn from someone of lower status or standing.

neutralpeoplework

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of moral praise, specifically highlighting the virtue of humility in someone who holds a higher position or possesses more experience. It is rarely used in casual, everyday banter and is more common in formal settings, academic advice, or when commending someone's professional attitude. Using it in a lighthearted context might sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好him1謙heoi1虛，seng4成jat6日bat1不ci2恥haa6下man6問cing2請gaau3教hau6後saang1生zai2仔。

He is very humble and often asks the younger generation for advice without feeling ashamed.

nei5你m4唔sik1識zau6就man6問laa1啦，zou6做jan4人jiu1要bat1不ci2恥haa6下man6問sin1先wui2會zeon3進bou6步。

If you don't know, just ask; you need to be willing to learn from others to improve.

Common phrases

taai3態dou6度bat1不ci2恥haa6下man6問

an attitude of being willing to learn from subordinates

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this to describe any act of asking a question, but it specifically requires a power or status imbalance where the person asking is superior to the person being asked. It is not appropriate to use when asking a teacher or a superior for help.