諺語 · a single proverb
能問能悟，能悟能成
Simplified: 能问能悟，能悟能成
What does 能問能悟，能悟能成 (néng wèn néng wù néng wù néng chéng) mean?
能問能悟，能悟能成 (néng wèn néng wù néng wù néng chéng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "can ask can understand, can understand can achieve." In use it means: The ability to ask leads to understanding; understanding leads to achievement. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rabbit.
Literally: "can ask can understand, can understand can achieve."
The reading
The question is the opening and the understanding is what enters through it, and from understanding the doing becomes possible in a way it was not before. Each step requires the previous one, and the first step-the willingness to ask, to not know, to open-is the one most often skipped by pride. Ask. Understand. Do. In that order.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese educational proverb
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Frog, and Year of the Rat.
Questions
Is 能問能悟，能悟能成 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 能問能悟，能悟能成 (néng wèn néng wù néng wù néng chéng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese educational proverb. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 能問能悟，能悟能成?
In Mandarin it is néng wèn néng wù néng wù néng chéng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 能問能悟，能悟能成 aloud in Mandarin.