学贯中西
xué guàn zhōng xī
well versed in both Chinese and Western learning
Character by character
学xué
learning
learning
贯guàn
run through
run through
中zhōng
China
China
西xī
West
West
Example
这位老教授学贯中西，讲中国哲学时常常拿康德作比较。
The old professor is steeped in both Chinese and Western learning, and often draws comparisons with Kant when he lectures on Chinese philosophy.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
贯 is to string through, as coins are strung on a cord: learning that runs right through both traditions. High praise, mostly written, for figures such as 徐光启, 严复 or 钱钟书; 学贯古今 is the same praise for old and new.
Learn this in Lesson 247 · HSK 9+: 利玛窦与徐光启 (Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi)
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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