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HSK 5 Chinese reading practice

毛遂自荐

máo suì zì jiàn

Mao Sui Recommends Himself

An overlooked retainer volunteers for a dangerous mission and wins an alliance through courage and eloquence.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 5
READ7 min
HANZI477
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文化
CULTURE

What does 毛遂自荐 imply?

毛遂自荐 comes from Mao Sui volunteering to accompany Lord Pingyuan to Chu in Records of the Grand Historian. It now describes confidently putting oneself forward for a task or position.

Key vocabulary10 words from this story
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阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01毛遂为什么主动走到平原君面前？
02毛遂用锥子和口袋说明什么？
03毛遂在楚国取得了什么结果？
0 / 3questions answered
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 毛遂自荐

What does 毛遂自荐 mean in English?

毛遂自荐 (máo suì zì jiàn) literally means “Mao Sui recommends himself.” It describes to volunteer confidently for a task or put oneself forward for a role.

When is 毛遂自荐 used?

Use 毛遂自荐 (máo suì zì jiàn) when someone takes the initiative to offer their own abilities instead of waiting to be chosen. For example: When the team needed a speaker, she 毛遂自荐 and offered to give the presentation.

What is the pinyin for 毛遂自荐?

The pinyin pronunciation for 毛遂自荐 is “máo suì zì jiàn.”