Chinese word

以身作则

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǐ shēn zuò zé

Meaning

  • idiomlead by example

Example

作为父亲，他常常以身作则，孩子们学到了很多。zuò wéi fù qīn tā cháng cháng yǐ shēn zuò zé hái zi men xué dào le hěn duō

As a father, he often leads by example, and his children learn a lot.

Illustration for 以身作则 (lead by example)

More examples

作为公司的经理，她总是以身作则，大家愿意跟随她的做法。zuò wéi gōng sī de jīng lǐ tā zǒng shì yǐ shēn zuò zé dà jiā yuàn yì gēn suí tā de zuò fǎ

As the company's manager, she always leads by example, and everyone is willing to follow her approach.

Core concept

One person's actions set a visible pattern for everyone else.

Common phrases

  • 带头以身作则dài tóu yǐ shēn zuò zé

    take the lead by example

  • 以身作则的领导yǐ shēn zuò zé de líng dǎo

    a leader who leads by example

  • 以身作则的榜样yǐ shēn zuò zé de bǎng yàng

    a role model who leads by example

Similar words

言传身教yán chuán shēn jiào: Guiding others with words while also showing the way through personal conduct.
身体力行shēn tǐ lì xíng: Personally carrying out a practice instead of leaving it as words.
率先垂范shuài xiān chuí fàn: Being the first to act and serving as a model for others.
身先士卒shēn xiān shì zú: Leading from the front when facing difficult circumstances.

Definition in Chinese

用自己的行为作为榜样，率先示范他人应当怎样做。yòng zì jǐ de xíng wéi zuò wéi bǎng yàng shuài xiān shì fàn tā rén yīng dāng zěn yàng zuò

Word origin

The four characters of 以身作则 (yǐshēnzuòzé, "lead by example") mean using oneself as a standard, so the idiom presents conduct as a model others can copy.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear a general compliment in "role model," but this Chinese idiom focuses specifically on showing the expected behavior through personal action.

Other meanings

  • be a role modelidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word