出淤泥而不染 chū yū ní ér bù rǎn

fig. to be principled and incorruptible

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to be principled and incorruptible
  2. 2. lit. to grow out of the mud unsullied (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
出 chū HSK 1
to go out; to come out
淤 yū
silt; to silt up; choked with silt
泥 ní HSK 6
mud; clay; paste
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
染 rǎn HSK 4
to dye; to contaminate; to catch (a disease)