入境问俗
rù jìng wèn sú
when you arrive somewhere, ask about its customs first
Character by character
入rù
enter
enter
境jìng
border
border
问wèn
ask
ask
俗sú
customs
customs
Example
入境问俗，去藏区前我先查了当地的禁忌。
When in a new place, ask about its ways: before going to the Tibetan areas I looked up the local taboos.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From 《礼记》: 入竟而问禁，入国而问俗 (竟 = 境). Compare 入乡随俗: that one is about following local ways, this one about asking first.
Learn this in Lesson 10 · HSK 5: 五十六个民族 (The 56 ethnic groups)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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