夏蟲不可語冰
Chinese
“summer insects”; insects that are active only during summer | cannot; should not; must not | speech; language; dialect speech; language; dialect; tell to | ice | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (夏蟲不可語冰) | 夏蟲 | 不可 | 語 | 冰 | |
simp. (夏虫不可语冰) | 夏虫 | 不可 | 语 | 冰 | |
Literally: “Summer insects cannot speak of ice.” |
Etymology
From Zhuangzi:
- 夏蟲不可以語於冰者,篤於時也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: Zhuangzi, circa 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE
- Xiàchóng bù kě yǐ yǔ yú bīng zhě, dǔ yú shí yě. [Pinyin]
- An insect of the summer cannot be talked with about ice - it knows nothing beyond its own season.
夏虫不可以语于冰者,笃于时也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation
Proverb
夏蟲不可語冰
- Lacking in basic knowledge or experience hinders one's cognition on a certain topic
- (derogatory) Someone is too ignorant to have meaningful discussion
Synonyms
- 夏蟲語冰/夏虫语冰
- 夏蟲不可以語冰/夏虫不可以语冰
See also
- 井底之蛙 (jǐngdǐzhīwā)