諺語 · a single proverb
青出於藍，而勝於藍
Simplified: 青出于蓝，而胜于蓝
What does 青出於藍，而勝於藍 (qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán) mean?
青出於藍，而勝於藍 (qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "indigo comes from the blue plant yet surpasses it." In use it means: The student can surpass the teacher; what is derived from something can exceed the original. 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: "indigo comes from the blue plant yet surpasses it."
The reading
The dye is extracted from the plant and becomes more vivid than the plant ever was. Every generation takes what the previous one offered and carries it further. The teacher who sees a student surpass them is not diminished. They are fulfilled.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Xunzi 荀子, Quàn Xué 勸學
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 Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 青出於藍，而勝於藍 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 青出於藍，而勝於藍 (qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Xunzi 荀子, Quàn Xué 勸學. 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 青出於藍，而勝於藍?
In Mandarin it is qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 青出於藍，而勝於藍 aloud in Mandarin.