布衣 (bù yī) — cotton clothes; hempen clothes (simple, undyed garments); (historical) commoner; a person of humble origin, especially a scholar who has not yet obtained office
Definition
Literary/classical term for plain hempen clothes, and by extension a commoner or humble scholar before taking office. Strongly tied to historical and literary writing — not used in everyday speech.
noun
cotton clotheshempen clothes (simple, undyed garments)(historical) commonera person of humble originespecially a scholar who has not yet obtained office
Measure word · 件
Examples
- 布衣，。Tā chuān zhuó yí jiàn jiǎn dān de bù yī, kàn qǐ lái xiàng gè pǔ tōng rén.He wore a simple cloth gown and looked like an ordinary person.
- 布衣，。Gǔ dài xǔ duō rén cái dōu chū shēn bù yī, hòu lái què chéng wéi dà guān.In ancient times, many talented people came from commoner backgrounds but later became high officials.
- 布衣，。bù yī Zhī jiāo zuì kě guì, bù yīn pín fù ér gǎi biàn.Friendship formed during commoner days is most precious; it doesn't change because of wealth or poverty.
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