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HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

负荆请罪

fù jīng qǐng zuì

Carrying Thorn Branches to Apologize

A general mistakes another official’s restraint for fear, until he learns the reason behind it.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ3 min
HANZI260
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文化
CULTURE

Meaning and source

Retold from Shiji, Biographies of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru. 负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally describes carrying thorn branches to ask for punishment. Today it means sincerely admitting a fault and asking for forgiveness; a modern apology does not require carrying branches. Lian Po’s submission is symbolic in this episode: the story does not describe Lin Xiangru beating him.

Key vocabulary18 words from this story
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Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01廉颇最初为什么不满？
02蔺相如为什么避开廉颇？
03廉颇最后怎样做？
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 负荆请罪

What does 负荆请罪 mean in English?

负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) literally means “carry thorn branches on one’s back and ask to be punished.” It describes sincerely admitting one’s fault and personally asking for forgiveness.

When is 负荆请罪 used?

Use 负荆请罪 (fù jīng qǐng zuì) when someone acknowledges responsibility and makes an apology. It can sound formal or be used with gentle self-mockery in everyday conversation. Modern speakers do not need to carry branches. The traditional Shiji episode ends in reconciliation and does not describe Lin Xiangru beating Lian Po. For example: 昨天是我误会了你，今天特地来负荆请罪，希望你能原谅我。 (I misunderstood you yesterday, so I have come especially to apologize and hope you can forgive me.)

What is the pinyin for 负荆请罪?

The pinyin pronunciation for 负荆请罪 is “fù jīng qǐng zuì.”