唯唯諾諾
Chinese edit
| to say respectful words of compliance; to say a bunch of yes sirs and madams | sound of agreeing submissively | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| trad. (唯唯諾諾) | 唯唯 | 諾諾 | |
| simp. (唯唯诺诺) | 唯唯 | 诺诺 | |
Etymology edit
From Han Feizi, Chapter 9 (《韓非子·八姦》):
- 優笑侏儒，左右近習，此人主未命而唯唯，未使而諾諾，先意承旨，觀貌察色以先主心者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: Han Feizi, circa 2nd century BCE, translated based on W. K. Liao's version
- Yōu xiào zhūrú, zuǒyòu jìn xí, cǐ rénzhǔ wèi mìng ér wéiwéi, wèi shǐ ér nuònuò, xiān yì chéng zhǐ, guān mào chá sè yǐ xiān zhǔ xīn zhě yě. [Pinyin]
- Actors, jokers, and clowns as well as attendants and courtiers would say, "At your service, at your service," before the sovereign has given any order, and say, "Yes, yes," before he has commanded them to do anything, thus taking orders ahead of his words and looking at his facial expressions and judging his needs by his colour in order thereby to render him service before he makes up his mind.
优笑侏儒，左右近习，此人主未命而唯唯，未使而诺诺，先意承旨，观貌察色以先主心者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation edit
Idiom edit
唯唯諾諾