The word 个性, signifying "individuality" in Chinese, is relatively new. In Chinese traditional society, which was forged according to Confucian values, there was no place for individuality. Until the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, in an ideal Confucian family, which included three or four generations, the authority was given to the old men; and filial piety, which meant complete obedience to one's parents, was a basic element in the social structure. The family was a strong social unit in which the individual never saw himself as independent.
Throughout thousands of years a system of rules dictated to the Chinese how to behave under almost every possible circumstance, hindering the distinction between ritual behavior and true emotions.
While the following idioms testify to an awareness of individuality, the Chinese people have always ascribed more importance to the society as a whole. The needs of the family, the community or the state have always preceded those of the individual.
*
各有千秋
Everyone has a thousand autumns
.his own virtues Everyone has
*
百人百姓个人个性
Literally: [Just as] a hundred people have a hundred family names, every person has his own personality.
*
八仙过海各显神通
The Eight Immortals cross the ocean; every one [of them] demonstrates his own divine ability
Every person has his own abilities and his own way of coping with situations, or of solving problems.
This is based on the story that describes the Eight Immortals crossing the ocean.
The same idea is found in the idiom:八仙过海各显其能
The Eight Immortals cross the ocean; every one [of them] demonstrates his own ability
Alternatively:
八仙过海不用船 自有法度 (渡)
The Eight Immortals cross the ocean without a boat; every one of them has his own skills (way to cross) (pun)
The words 度 (literally: ability) and 渡 (literally: crossing, crossing a river) are homonyms.
*
人之相去如九牛毛
Literally: The number of differences among people is like the number of hairs on nine oxen.
Every human being has his own personality.
*
三人六样话
Three people - six opinions
In French they say:
Autant de têtes, autant d'avis.
Literally: As many as the heads, are the number of opinions.
The same idea is found in the idiom:
双黄鸡蛋两个心
Literally: Two yolks in one egg – two hearts.
Said of one person who has two different opinions, or hidden motives.
*
人人头上顶块天
Literally: Every person has [his own] piece of sky above his head.
Every human being has an equal opportunity to express his personality
*
一个师傅一个传授
Every master has his own way to teach
Every person has his own way of doing things.
The same idea is found in the idiom:
千个师傅千个法儿
Literally: A thousand masters – a thousand methods.
Every person has his own way of acting.
*
大树底下长不出好草
Literally: Good grass will not grow under a big tree.
Those who depend on their parents or on their superiors, will not be able to develop their own personality and will not reach significant achievements.
河有河道山有山路
Literally: Rivers have river routes [and] mountains have mountain paths.
Each thing has its own expression.
Every human being has his own way of life.
*
同床异梦
Literally: The same bed, different dreams.
Even the closest people have different minds.
*
一龙生九种种种不同
Literally: The dragon has nine sons; each is different from the others.
Brothers differ from each other - each has his own character.
*
. 萝卜白菜各有所爱
[One loves] radish, [another loves] cabbage; each has his preferences
People have different preferences.
*
十个人十样性
Ten people – ten characters
*
邯郸学步
Literally: Learns from the Han Dan 邯郸[1] people to walk.
Said of a person who unsuccessfully imitates others and thereby loses his own individuality.
This is based on the following story:
During the Warring States period (475-221 BCE), Han Dan 邯郸, the capital city of the State of Zhao Yan
The lesson from this story is that people must be sensibly critical of others rather than following them blindly. Imitating others without such criticism may incur bad results.
*
独来独往
Literally: Comes alone goes alone.
Literally: Comes alone goes alone.
Acts alone independently.
*
走自己的路让人家去说吧
Go on your way [and] let them talk!
Go on your way [and] let them talk!
No comments:
Post a Comment