All Idioms
AdvancedChinese Idiom (成语)

真才实学

zhēn cái shí xué

“Real talent and genuine learning”

Meaning: Real talent and learning; genuine ability; true knowledge and actual skills; authentic expertise

Character-by-Character Breakdown

zhēn
真
real / true / genuine
HSK 2
cái
才
talent / ability
HSK 3
shí
实
real / actual / solid
HSK 2
xué
学
learning / knowledge
HSK 1

The Story Behind 真才实学

Source:《醒世恒言》
Period:Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Genuine Talent and Learning

The idiom 真才实学 comes from classical Chinese literature, emphasizing the importance of genuine ability.

It contrasts real talent and learning with false reputation or superficial knowledge.

The phrase teaches that true value comes from actual skills and knowledge, not from appearances or connections.

It reflects the Confucian value that ability should be based on real learning and genuine talent.

Original Classical Chinese

真才实学，不尚虚名。

How to Use 真才实学

This idiom is used to describe people who have real talent and genuine learning.

It emphasizes that someone's ability is authentic and based on actual knowledge and skills.

The idiom is often used to praise genuine expertise or to contrast with superficial knowledge.

When to use:
  • Use when praising genuine expertise or real ability
  • Often used to contrast with superficial knowledge or false reputation
  • Can be used to emphasize the value of authentic skills
Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with simply being educated. It specifically refers to having genuine, authentic ability based on real knowledge and skills, not just credentials or superficial knowledge.

Example Sentences

1

他有真才实学，不是靠关系上位的。

Tā yǒu zhēn cái shí xué, bù shì kào guānxì shàngwèi de.

He has real talent and genuine learning. He didn't get his position through connections.

2

这位专家有真才实学，值得信任。

Zhè wèi zhuānjiā yǒu zhēn cái shí xué, zhídé xìnrèn.

This expert has real talent and genuine learning and is trustworthy.

3

招聘时要看真才实学，不能只看学历。

Zhāopìn shí yào kàn zhēn cái shí xué, bù néng zhǐ kàn xuélì.

When hiring, we should look for real talent and genuine learning, not just academic qualifications.

Practice Writing

Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.

Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)

Or explore each character:

真stroke order才stroke order实stroke order学stroke order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 真才实学 (zhēn cái shí xué) mean?

真才实学 literally means "real talent and genuine learning." Figuratively, it means real talent and learning, genuine ability, true knowledge and actual skills, or authentic expertise. It emphasizes that ability is authentic and based on real knowledge.

What is the difference between 真才实学 and 自力更生?

Both idioms emphasize genuine ability, but 真才实学 focuses on having real talent and learning (authentic expertise), while 自力更生 focuses on relying on one's own efforts (self-reliance). 真才实学 is about genuine capability, 自力更生 is about independence.

How do you use 真才实学 in a sentence?

Use 真才实学 when praising genuine expertise. For example: "他有真才实学，不是靠关系上位的" (He has real talent and genuine learning. He didn't get his position through connections).

Is 真才实学 always positive?

Yes, 真才实学 is always positive. It's used to praise genuine expertise, real ability, and authentic knowledge. It emphasizes the value of true skills over superficial qualifications.

Is 真才实学 difficult to learn?

真才实学 is considered intermediate level. It uses relatively common characters (真 HSK2, 才 HSK3, 实 HSK2, 学 HSK1). The concept is clear and the idiom is commonly used in modern Chinese.