bó xué duō cái
“Learned and multi-talented”
Meaning: Erudite and versatile; learned and talented; to have extensive knowledge and many talents
The idiom 博学多才 comes from historical records describing accomplished scholars.
It emphasizes that true excellence comes from both extensive learning and natural talent.
The phrase teaches that being well-educated and having multiple abilities is highly valued.
It reflects the ideal of the "scholar-gentleman" who excels in both learning and practical skills.
博学多才，文武双全。
This idiom is used to praise people who are both learned and talented in many areas.
It emphasizes that someone has extensive knowledge and multiple abilities or talents.
The idiom is often used to describe accomplished scholars or people who excel in many fields.
Don't confuse this with simply being smart. It specifically refers to having both extensive learning (博学) and multiple talents (多才), not just intelligence.
他博学多才，不仅精通文学，还擅长音乐和绘画。
Tā bó xué duō cái, bùjǐn jīngtōng wénxué, hái shàncháng yīnyuè hé huìhuà.
He is learned and multi-talented, not only mastering literature but also excelling in music and painting.
这位教授博学多才，在多个领域都有建树。
Zhè wèi jiàoshòu bó xué duō cái, zài duō gè lǐngyù dōu yǒu jiànshù.
This professor is learned and multi-talented, having achievements in multiple fields.
要成为博学多才的人，需要不断学习和实践。
Yào chéngwéi bó xué duō cái de rén, xūyào bùduàn xuéxí hé shíjiàn.
To become learned and multi-talented, one needs continuous learning and practice.
Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.
Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)Or explore each character:
博学多才 literally means "learned and multi-talented." Figuratively, it means erudite and versatile, learned and talented, or to have extensive knowledge and many talents. It emphasizes both education and natural ability.
Both idioms describe knowledgeable people, but 博学多才 emphasizes being learned (book knowledge) and having multiple talents, while 见多识广 emphasizes knowledge gained through extensive experience and travel. 博学多才 is about learning and talent, 见多识广 is about experience.
Use 博学多才 when praising someone who is both learned and talented. For example: "他博学多才，不仅精通文学，还擅长音乐" (He is learned and multi-talented, not only mastering literature but also excelling in music).
Yes, 博学多才 is always positive. It's used to praise people who have both extensive learning and multiple talents. It's a high compliment for accomplished individuals.
博学多才 is considered advanced level. It uses characters of varying difficulty (博 HSK5, 学 HSK1, 多 HSK1, 才 HSK3). The concept is clear and the idiom is commonly used in formal contexts.
