修身养性
xiū shēn yǎng xìng
to cultivate oneself and temper one’s character
Character by character
修xiū
cultivate
cultivate
身shēn
self
self
养yǎng
nourish
nourish
性xìng
nature
nature
Example
退休以后，他每天练书法、喝茶，修身养性。
Since retiring he spends his days practising calligraphy and drinking tea, cultivating himself.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Rooted in Confucian self-cultivation: Mencius speaks of nourishing one’s nature (养其性) and cultivating oneself (修身). Now said of calm pursuits such as tea, calligraphy, tai chi or fishing.
Learn this in Lesson 35 · HSK 5–6: 喝茶的学问 (The art of tea)
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.
Open the lesson →