(The video above is a zhongruan中阮 performance)

Today, let's meet another member of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七贤) — Ruan Xian (阮咸), the nephew of Ruan Ji (阮籍).

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语), there was a custom of showing off fine clothes during a traditional festival. While his relatives and neighbors displayed their fancy silk garments, Ruan Xian(阮咸), who wasn't wealthy, simply hung out a pair of ordinary short trousers instead.

He reportedly explained: 未能免俗，聊复尔耳。
Roughly translated: “I can't escape the custom, so I'll just go along with it!”

Ruan Xian was known for his unconventional personality and disregard for rigid social rules. He seemed to go along with the custom, but didn't really care what others thought of his ordinary trousers. I find that attitude both amusing and charming!

What Does 未能免俗 Mean Today?

Today, we use it when we do something not because we particularly care about it, but simply to fit in or because it's expected.

Example:
The company party wasn't really my thing, but it would've felt awkward not to show up, so I went anyway. 未能免俗!

One More Interesting Fact

Ruan Xian was also famous for playing a traditional Chinese string instrument associated with his name: the ruan (阮).

The video at the very top of the post is a performance on the zhongruan (中阮), an instrument of medium size in the ruan (阮) family. Give it a listen!

There's another video, the second one on the right is Ruan:
https://youtu.be/n8eS9KpRpXo?list=RDn8eS9KpRpXo&t=284

Pretty cool that his name lives on in Chinese music, too!

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

(The video above is a zhongruan中阮 performance)

Today, let's meet another member of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七贤) — Ruan Xian (阮咸), the nephew of Ruan Ji (阮籍).

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语), there was a custom of showing off fine clothes during a traditional festival. While his relatives and neighbors displayed their fancy silk garments, Ruan Xian(阮咸), who wasn't wealthy, simply hung out a pair of ordinary short trousers instead.

He reportedly explained: 未能免俗，聊复尔耳。
Roughly translated: “I can't escape the custom, so I'll just go along with it!”

Ruan Xian was known for his unconventional personality and disregard for rigid social rules. He seemed to go along with the custom, but didn't really care what others thought of his ordinary trousers. I find that attitude both amusing and charming!

What Does 未能免俗 Mean Today?

Today, we use it when we do something not because we particularly care about it, but simply to fit in or because it's expected.

Example:
The company party wasn't really my thing, but it would've felt awkward not to show up, so I went anyway. 未能免俗!

One More Interesting Fact

Ruan Xian was also famous for playing a traditional Chinese string instrument associated with his name: the ruan (阮).

The video at the very top of the post is a performance on the zhongruan (中阮), an instrument of medium size in the ruan (阮) family. Give it a listen!

There's another video, the second one on the right is Ruan:
https://youtu.be/n8eS9KpRpXo?list=RDn8eS9KpRpXo&t=284

Pretty cool that his name lives on in Chinese music, too!

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

(The video above is a zhongruan中阮 performance)

Today, let's meet another member of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七贤) — Ruan Xian (阮咸), the nephew of Ruan Ji (阮籍).

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语), there was a custom of showing off fine clothes during a traditional festival. While his relatives and neighbors displayed their fancy silk garments, Ruan Xian(阮咸), who wasn't wealthy, simply hung out a pair of ordinary short trousers instead.

He reportedly explained: 未能免俗，聊复尔耳。
Roughly translated: “I can't escape the custom, so I'll just go along with it!”

Ruan Xian was known for his unconventional personality and disregard for rigid social rules. He seemed to go along with the custom, but didn't really care what others thought of his ordinary trousers. I find that attitude both amusing and charming!

What Does 未能免俗 Mean Today?

Today, we use it when we do something not because we particularly care about it, but simply to fit in or because it's expected.

Example:
The company party wasn't really my thing, but it would've felt awkward not to show up, so I went anyway. 未能免俗!

One More Interesting Fact

Ruan Xian was also famous for playing a traditional Chinese string instrument associated with his name: the ruan (阮).

The video at the very top of the post is a performance on the zhongruan (中阮), an instrument of medium size in the ruan (阮) family. Give it a listen!

There's another video, the second one on the right is Ruan:
https://youtu.be/n8eS9KpRpXo?list=RDn8eS9KpRpXo&t=284

Pretty cool that his name lives on in Chinese music, too!

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

(The video above is a zhongruan中阮 performance.)

Today, let's meet another member of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七贤) — Ruan Xian (阮咸), the nephew of Ruan Ji (阮籍).

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语), there was a custom of showing off fine clothes during a traditional festival. While his relatives and neighbors displayed their fancy silk garments, Ruan Xian(阮咸), who wasn't wealthy, simply hung out a pair of ordinary short trousers instead.

He reportedly explained:

未能免俗，聊复尔耳。
Roughly translated: “I can't escape the custom, so I'll just go along with it!”

Ruan Xian was known for his unconventional personality and disregard for rigid social rules. He seemed to go along with the custom, but didn't really care what others thought of his ordinary trousers. I find that attitude both amusing and charming!

What Does 未能免俗 Mean Today?

Today, we use it when we do something not because we particularly care about it, but simply to fit in or because it's expected.

Example

The company party wasn't really my thing, but it would've felt awkward not to show up, so I went anyway. 未能免俗! 😅

One More Interesting Fact 🎵

Ruan Xian was also famous for playing a traditional Chinese string instrument associated with his name: the ruan (阮).

The video at the very top of the post is a performance on the zhongruan (中阮), an instrument of medium size in the ruan (阮) instruments family. Give it a listen!

There's another video, the second one on the right is ruan (Ruan) :
https://youtu.be/n8eS9KpRpXo?list=RDn8eS9KpRpXo&t=284

Pretty cool that his name lives on in Chinese music, too!

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

得意忘形

In my previous posts, I mentioned Ruan Ji (阮籍, 210–263 AD). Here's another idiom about him.

青眼相加 (qīng yǎn xiāng jiā) means “to look favorably on someone” or “to show someone special respect.”

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to  世说新语 (Shi Shuo Xin Yu) , a book we've mentioned many times before, Ruan Ji 阮籍had a pretty unusual way of treating people. When he met someone he liked or admired, he would look at them with his pupils centered normally. This was called 青眼 (qīng yǎn), literally “dark pupil,” and it was a way of showing respect and appreciation.

But if someone he didn't like came to visit, he'd roll his eyes so that more of the whites showed. This was called 白眼 (bái yǎn), a way of showing disdain or that he didn't want to deal with someone.

A famous example involves Ji Kang (嵇康). When Ji Kang's brother, Ji Xi (嵇喜), came to visit, Ruan Ji gave him the 白眼 treatment, and Ji Xi left unhappy. But when Ji Kang himself came, Ruan Ji was delighted and welcomed him with 青眼.

What Does It Mean Today?

青眼相加 means to look favorably on someone or give them special respect. The opposite expression, 白眼相待 (bái yǎn xiāng dài), means to treat someone with disdain. You can also simply say 给某人白眼, meaning to give someone a dirty look or roll your eyes at them.

You'll also hear 白眼 in everyday Chinese:

• 翻白眼 (fān bái yǎn) means “to roll your eyes,” usually because you're annoyed or don't believe what someone is saying.
• 白眼狼 (bái yǎn láng) literally means “white-eyed wolf.” It's a common expression for an ungrateful person who repays kindness with ingratitude.

So, if someone gives you 青眼, you've made a good impression. If you get 白眼, well, things probably aren't going so well.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

得意忘形

In my previous posts, I mentioned Ruan Ji (阮籍, 210–263 AD). Here's another idiom about him.

青眼相加 (qīng yǎn xiāng jiā) means “to look favorably on someone” or “to show someone special respect.”

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to  世说新语 (Shi Shuo Xin Yu) , a book we've mentioned many times before, Ruan Ji 阮籍had a pretty unusual way of treating people. When he met someone he liked or admired, he would look at them with his pupils centered normally. This was called 青眼 (qīng yǎn), literally “dark pupil,” and it was a way of showing respect and appreciation.

But if someone he didn't like came to visit, he'd roll his eyes so that more of the whites showed. This was called 白眼 (bái yǎn), a way of showing disdain or that he didn't want to deal with someone.

A famous example involves Ji Kang (嵇康). When Ji Kang's brother, Ji Xi (嵇喜), came to visit, Ruan Ji gave him the 白眼 treatment, and Ji Xi left unhappy. But when Ji Kang himself came, Ruan Ji was delighted and welcomed him with 青眼.

What Does It Mean Today?

青眼相加 means to look favorably on someone or give them special respect. The opposite expression, 白眼相待 (bái yǎn xiāng dài), means to treat someone with disdain. You can also simply say 给某人白眼, meaning to give someone a dirty look or roll your eyes at them.

You'll also hear 白眼 in everyday Chinese:

• 翻白眼 (fān bái yǎn) means “to roll your eyes,” usually because you're annoyed or don't believe what someone is saying.
• 白眼狼 (bái yǎn láng) literally means “white-eyed wolf.” It's a common expression for an ungrateful person who repays kindness with ingratitude.

So, if someone gives you 青眼, you've made a good impression. If you get 白眼, well, things probably aren't going so well.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

得意忘形

In my previous posts, I mentioned Ruan Ji (阮籍, 210–263 AD). Here's another idiom about him.

青眼相加 (qīng yǎn xiāng jiā) means “to look favorably on someone” or “to show someone special respect.”

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to  世说新语 (Shi Shuo Xin Yu) , a book we've mentioned many times before, Ruan Ji 阮籍had a pretty unusual way of treating people. When he met someone he liked or admired, he would look at them with his pupils centered normally. This was called 青眼 (qīng yǎn), literally “dark pupil,” and it was a way of showing respect and appreciation.

But if someone he didn't like came to visit, he'd roll his eyes so that more of the whites showed. This was called 白眼 (bái yǎn), a way of showing disdain or that he didn't want to deal with someone.

A famous example involves Ji Kang (嵇康). When Ji Kang's brother, Ji Xi (嵇喜), came to visit, Ruan Ji gave him the 白眼 treatment, and Ji Xi left unhappy. But when Ji Kang himself came, Ruan Ji was delighted and welcomed him with 青眼.

What Does It Mean Today?

青眼相加 means to look favorably on someone or give them special respect. The opposite expression, 白眼相待 (bái yǎn xiāng dài), means to treat someone with disdain. You can also simply say 给某人白眼, meaning to give someone a dirty look or roll your eyes at them.

You'll also hear 白眼 in everyday Chinese:

• 翻白眼 (fān bái yǎn) means “to roll your eyes,” usually because you're annoyed or don't believe what someone is saying.
• 白眼狼 (bái yǎn láng) literally means “white-eyed wolf.” It's a common expression for an ungrateful person who repays kindness with ingratitude.

So, if someone gives you 青眼, you've made a good impression. If you get 白眼, well, things probably aren't going so well.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

得意忘形

In my previous posts, I mentioned Ruan Ji (阮籍, 210–263 AD). Here's another idiom about him.

青眼相加 (qīng yǎn xiāng jiā) means “to look favorably on someone” or “to show someone special respect.”

The Story Behind the Idiom

According to  世说新语 (Shi Shuo Xin Yu) , a book we've mentioned many times before, Ruan Ji 阮籍had a pretty unusual way of treating people. When he met someone he liked or admired, he would look at them with his pupils centered normally. This was called 青眼 (qīng yǎn), literally “dark pupil,” and it was a way of showing respect and appreciation.

But if someone he didn't like came to visit, he'd roll his eyes so that more of the whites showed. This was called 白眼 (bái yǎn), a way of showing disdain or that he didn't want to deal with someone.

A famous example involves Ji Kang (嵇康). When Ji Kang's brother, Ji Xi (嵇喜), came to visit, Ruan Ji gave him the 白眼 treatment, and Ji Xi left unhappy. But when Ji Kang himself came, Ruan Ji was delighted and welcomed him with 青眼.

What Does It Mean Today?

青眼相加 means to look favorably on someone or give them special respect. The opposite expression, 白眼相待 (bái yǎn xiāng dài), means to treat someone with disdain. You can also simply say 给某人白眼, meaning to give someone a dirty look or roll your eyes at them.

You'll also hear 白眼 in everyday Chinese:

• 翻白眼 (fān bái yǎn) means “to roll your eyes,” usually because you're annoyed or don't believe what someone is saying.
• 白眼狼 (bái yǎn láng) literally means “white-eyed wolf.” It's a common expression for an ungrateful person who repays kindness with ingratitude.

So, if someone gives you 青眼, you've made a good impression. If you get 白眼, well, things probably aren't going so well.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

I mentioned Cao Zhi (曹植) in my previous post. Today, here's another idiom about him and his brother, Cao Pi (曹丕).

相煎何急 (xiāng jiān hé jí) literally means “Why boil your own kind so hard?”

Their father, Cao Cao (曹操), was a powerful warlord and politician during the late Han Dynasty. Even before his death, his two sons were competing for succession. Cao Pi eventually won, became King of Wei, and later founded the Wei dynasty.

According to the famous story in the book 世说新语 (Shishu Xinyu), the new king Cao Pi wanted to punish his brother. He ordered Cao Zhi to write a poem within seven steps, or face execution.
The catch? He had to describe the situation between the two brothers without using the word “brother.” Pretty tough.

Cao Zhi supposedly came up with:

煮豆燃豆萁，豆在釜中泣。本是同根生，相煎何太急？

“Beans are boiled using their own stalks as fuel.
The beans inside the pot are crying:
We were born from the same root,
why are you boil me so hard?”

Cao Pi was moved by the poem, and Cao Zhi survived.

Although the story may not be entirely accurate historically, later generations accepted it, and it became a famous legend showcasing Cao Zhi’s literary talent.

Backstory
Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are sometimes called the “Three Caos” (三曹) because of their literary achievements. Cao Pi got the crown, but Cao Zhi got the literary crown. He was considered one of the greatest poets of his time, with the famous saying 才高八斗.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

I mentioned Cao Zhi (曹植) in my previous post. Today, here's another idiom about him and his brother, Cao Pi (曹丕).

相煎何急 (xiāng jiān hé jí) literally means “Why boil your own kind so hard?”

Their father, Cao Cao (曹操), was a powerful warlord and politician during the late Han Dynasty. Even before his death, his two sons were competing for succession. Cao Pi eventually won, became King of Wei, and later founded the Wei dynasty.

According to the famous story in the book 世说新语 (Shishu Xinyu), the new king Cao Pi wanted to punish his brother. He ordered Cao Zhi to write a poem within seven steps, or face execution.
The catch? He had to describe the situation between the two brothers without using the word “brother.” Pretty tough.

Cao Zhi supposedly came up with:

煮豆燃豆萁，豆在釜中泣。本是同根生，相煎何太急？

“Beans are boiled using their own stalks as fuel.
The beans inside the pot are crying:
We were born from the same root,
why are you boil me so hard?”

Cao Pi was moved by the poem, and Cao Zhi survived.

Although the story may not be entirely accurate historically, later generations accepted it, and it became a famous legend showcasing Cao Zhi’s literary talent.

Backstory
Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are sometimes called the “Three Caos” (三曹) because of their literary achievements. Cao Pi got the crown, but Cao Zhi got the literary crown. He was considered one of the greatest poets of his time, with the famous saying 才高八斗.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

I mentioned Cao Zhi (曹植) in my previous post. Today, here's another idiom about him and his brother, Cao Pi (曹丕).

相煎何急 (xiāng jiān hé jí) literally means “Why boil your own kind so eager?”

Their father, Cao Cao (曹操), was a powerful warlord and politician during the late Han Dynasty. Even before his death, his two sons were competing for succession. Cao Pi eventually won, became King of Wei, and later founded the Wei dynasty.

According to the famous story in the book 世说新语 (Shishu Xinyu), the new king Cao Pi wanted to punish his brother. He ordered Cao Zhi to write a poem within seven steps, or face execution.
The catch? He had to describe the situation between the two brothers without using the word “brother.” Pretty tough.

Cao Zhi supposedly came up with:

煮豆燃豆萁，豆在釜中泣。本是同根生，相煎何太急？

“Beans are boiled using their own stalks as fuel.
The beans inside the pot are crying:
We were born from the same root,
why are you boil me so eager?”

Cao Pi was moved by the poem, and Cao Zhi survived.

Although the story may not be entirely accurate historically, later generations accepted it, and it became a famous legend showcasing Cao Zhi’s literary talent.

Backstory
Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are sometimes called the “Three Caos” (三曹) because of their literary achievements. Cao Pi got the crown, but Cao Zhi got the literary crown. He was considered one of the greatest poets of his time, with the famous saying 才高八斗.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts

I mentioned Cao Zhi (曹植) in my previous post. Today, here's another idiom about him and his brother, Cao Pi (曹丕).

相煎何急 (xiāng jiān hé jí) literally means “Why boil your own kind so hard?”

Their father, Cao Cao (曹操), was a powerful warlord and politician during the late Han Dynasty. Even before his death, his two sons were competing for succession. Cao Pi eventually won, became King of Wei, and later founded the Wei dynasty.

According to the famous story in the book 世说新语 (Shishu Xinyu), the new king Cao Pi wanted to punish his brother. He ordered Cao Zhi to write a poem within seven steps, or face execution.
The catch? He had to describe the situation between the two brothers without using the word “brother.” Pretty tough.

Cao Zhi supposedly came up with:

煮豆燃豆萁，豆在釜中泣。本是同根生，相煎何太急？

“Beans are boiled using their own stalks as fuel.
The beans inside the pot are crying:
We were born from the same root,
why are you boil me so hard?”

Cao Pi was moved by the poem, and Cao Zhi survived.

Although the story may not be entirely accurate historically, later generations accepted it, and it became a famous legend showcasing Cao Zhi’s literary talent.

Backstory
Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are sometimes called the “Three Caos” (三曹) because of their literary achievements. Cao Pi got the crown, but Cao Zhi got the literary crown. He was considered one of the greatest poets of his time, with the famous saying 才高八斗.

(AI-assisted editing)

My Chengyu (Chinese Idioms) Posts