Chinese Idiom: 问一得三 (Wen Yi De San)
English Translation: Ask one question and receive three answers
pīn yīn: wèn yī dé sān
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where one asks few questions but receives a wealth of information in return, symbolizing that a small inquiry can yield great rewards.
Historical Source: “The Analects of Confucius · Jishi Chapter” (《论语 · 季氏篇》)
Idiom Story:
In ancient times, Confucius had some disciples who suspected that he was not fully sharing his knowledge with them. Aware of their doubts, Confucius openly addressed the issue, saying, “Do you think I have any secrets? I hold nothing back from you; this is the way I, Kong Qiu, conduct myself!” Despite his reassurances, some students remained skeptical, believing that Confucius must teach his son, Kong Li (also known as Bo Yu), more thoroughly and preferentially.
One day, a disciple named Chen Kang (styled Zi Qin) secretly approached Bo Yu and asked, “What special teachings have you received from our master?”
Bo Yu replied, “Nothing extraordinary. However, there was a time when my father was alone in the courtyard, and as I walked by, he asked me, ‘Are you studying the Book of Songs (《诗》)?’ I said, ‘No.’ He then said, ‘If you don’t study the Book of Songs, your speech will lack vitality.’ So I began to study the Book of Songs. On another occasion, he was standing there again, and when I walked past, he asked, ‘Are you studying the Rites (《礼》)?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Without studying the Rites, you will have no basis to establish yourself in society.’ After that, I also began to study the Rites. These are the only two instances.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Kang was quite satisfied and remarked, “From my one question, I have gained three insights: I learned that I should study the Book of Songs, I should study the Rites, and I understand that a gentleman does not show favoritism toward his own son.”
This story illustrates the value of curiosity and the unexpected depth of knowledge that can be gained from even the simplest inquiries. The idiom “问一得三” serves as a reminder that asking questions can lead to significant learning and understanding.
