后生可畏
hòu shēng kě wèi
the young deserve respect; the young may well surpass their elders
Character by character
后hòu
later
later
生shēng
born
born
可kě
deserve
deserve
畏wèi
awe
awe
Example
这个十五岁的孩子一连赢了好几位老棋手，真是后生可畏。
This fifteen-year-old beat several veteran players one after another; the young really can outdo their elders.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From 《论语》: 后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也, “the young deserve respect: how do we know those to come will not equal us?” Said by older people in sincere praise of young talent; it sounds odd said by the young about themselves.
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