负荆请罪fù jīng qǐng zuìto offer sb a humble apology

1. 1.

   to offer sb a humble apologyidiom

Figurative meaning

To offer someone a humble apology.

Literal meaning

To bring a bramble and ask for punishment.

• 负to carry (on one's back)
• 荆(literary) cane or switch made from a chaste tree, used for punishment
• 请to ask
• 罪guilt

The story

When Lian Po heard this, he bared his upper body, carried a bramble on his back, and went through a guest to Lin Xiangru's gate to apologize for his offense.

负荆请罪 can describe going in person to apologize sincerely after a mistake.

1. HSK 2

   我昨天说错了话，今天去他家负荆请罪。

   Wǒ zuótiān shuō cuò le huà, jīntiān qù tā jiā fù jīng qǐng zuì.

   I said the wrong thing yesterday, so today I went to his home to apologize humbly.

2. HSK 3

   他知道自己错了，带着礼物去负荆请罪。

   Tā zhīdào zìjǐ cuò le, dàizhe lǐwù qù fù jīng qǐng zuì.

   He knew he was wrong and brought a gift to offer a humble apology.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   我昨天对朋友生气了。

   Wǒ zuótiān duì péngyou shēngqì le.

   I got angry at my friend yesterday.

2. 
   Speaker B:

   是你错了吗？

   Shì nǐ cuò le ma?

   Were you wrong?

3. 
   Speaker A:

   是，我想去负荆请罪。

   Shì, wǒ xiǎng qù fù jīng qǐng zuì.

   Yes, I want to go and offer a humble apology.

4. 
   Speaker B:

   好，他会原谅你的。

   Hǎo, tā huì yuánliàng nǐ de.

   Good, he'll forgive you.

1. 1.What does 负荆请罪 mean?

   ATo offer someone a humble apologyBTo carry firewood homeCTo punish someone
2. 2.Which sentence uses 负荆请罪 correctly?

   A他知道自己错了，去朋友家负荆请罪。B今天天气很负荆请罪。C这本书负荆请罪地好看。
3. 3.Which word fits best? 我说错了话，要去____。 (I said the wrong thing and need to apologize humbly.)

   A负荆请罪B半斤八两C草船借箭

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