CHENGYU
三思而行(sān sī ér xíng)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- formal
- Source:
- 《论语·公冶长》
MEANING
- Literal
- to think three times before acting
- Figurative meaning
- to think carefully before doing anything
ORIGIN STORY
Confucius said of Ji Wenzi: "He thinks three times before he acts." The master's wry reply — "Twice would do" — aside, the phrase remains the classic counsel of prudence.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to look before you leap”
EXAMPLES
这事关系重大，一定要三思而行。Zhè shì guānxi zhòngdà, yídìng yào sān sī ér xíng.HSK6
This matter is weighty — think it over three times before you act.
年轻人容易冲动，要学会三思而行。Niánqīng rén róngyì chōngdòng, yào xuéhuì sān sī ér xíng.HSK6
Young people act on impulse; learn to think thrice before moving.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: "Three" is a round number for "repeatedly" — not exactly three times, and not indecision.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01