Definition
中庸 (zhōng yōng) refers to the Confucian 'golden mean,' a philosophy of moderation and balance. As an adjective, it means 'mediocre' and is often derogatory (e.g., 他太中庸了 'he's too mediocre'), stronger in criticism than 平凡 'ordinary' and similar to 平庸 but with a nuance of lacking courage. The two senses are opposite in connotation.
noun
the golden meanthe doctrine of the mean (Confucian philosophy of moderation)
adjective
mediocreordinary (of a person, often derogatory)
Easily confused
- 重用zhòng yòngsound-aliketo assign (someone) to an important position; to give a key role
Examples
- 中庸。Rújiā rènwéi zhōng yōng shì zuì gāo dàodé biāozhǔn.Confucianism considers the golden mean to be the highest moral standard.
- 中庸，。Tā zhège rén tài zhōng yōng le, shénme dōu bù gǎn zuò.This person is too mediocre — he doesn't dare to do anything.
- 中庸，。Zuò shì jiǎngjiu zhōng yōng, jì bú guòfèn yě bú tài shǎo.When doing things, one should aim for the golden mean — neither too much nor too little.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.