为人师表 (wéi rén shī biǎo) — to be worthy of the name of teacher; to be a model of virtue for others; (idiom) a person who sets a moral example, especially a teacher or leader

Definition

A formal idiom praising someone — usually a teacher or leader — whose moral character is exemplary enough to serve as a model. Used in writing or formal speech, not everyday conversation.

idiom
to be worthy of the name of teacherto be a model of virtue for othersa person who sets a moral example, especially a teacher or leader

Examples

  • ，为人师表。
    Zuò wéi yì míng jiào shī, yīng gāi wéi rén shī biǎo.
    As a teacher, one should be a model of virtue for others.
  • ，为人师表。
    Tā yì shēng yán yú lǜ jǐ, kān chēng wéi rén shī biǎo.
    He was strict with himself all his life and truly deserves to be called a model of virtue.
  • ，为人师表。
    Zhè wèi xiào zhǎng pǐn dé gāo shàng, zhēn zhèng zuò dào le wéi rén shī biǎo.
    This principal has high moral character and has truly set an example worthy of the name.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 師; 师 is its simplified writing.

  • 𠂤𠂤𠂤
  • 帀帀zā

The traditional form 師 combines 𠂤 and 帀; the simplified 师 is not the form explained here.

Open 师 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Open 表 →

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