不揣冒昧 bù chuǎi mào mèi Without presuming

Explanation

指不顾虑冒犯，用于谦逊客气的说法。

It means to act without considering offense, often used in a humble and polite manner.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的诗人，久仰一位隐居山林的禅师大名，仰慕已久。一日，李白不顾旅途劳顿，兴冲冲地来到禅师的住所。他站在禅师门外，心中忐忑不安，毕竟是贸然拜访，怕打扰禅师清修。良久，他深吸一口气，鼓起勇气，敲响了禅师的房门。禅师缓缓打开房门，慈祥地望着这位不速之客。李白不揣冒昧，拱手作揖，向禅师说明来意，希望能够聆听禅师的教诲。禅师微微一笑，热情地邀请李白进屋，两人在清幽的氛围中畅谈诗词禅理，度过了一段美好的时光。

huà shuō táng cháo shí qī, yī wèi míng jiào lǐ bái de shī rén, jiǔ yǎng yī wèi yǐn jū shānlín de chán shī dà míng, yǎng mù yǐ jiǔ. yī rì, lǐ bái bù gù lǚ tú láo dùn, xīng chōng chōng de lái dào chán shī de zhù suǒ. tā zhàn zài chán shī mén wài, xīn zhōng tǎn tè bù ān, bì jìng shì mào rán bàifǎng, pà dǎorǎo chán shī qīng xiū. liáng jiǔ, tā shēn xī yī kǒu qǐ, gǔ qǐ yǒng qì, qiāo xiǎng le chán shī de fáng mén. chán shī huǎn huǎn dǎ kāi fáng mén, cí xiáng de wàng zhe zhè wèi bù sù kè. lǐ bái bù chuǎi mào mèi, gǒng shǒu zuò yī, xiàng chán shī shuō míng lái yì, xī wàng néng gòu líng tīng chán shī de jiàohuì. chán shī wēi wēi yī xiào, rè qíng de yāoqǐng lǐ bái jìn wū, liǎng rén zài qīng yōu de fēn wéi zhōng chàng tán shī cí chán lǐ, dù guò le yī duàn měihǎo de shí guāng.

During the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai who had long admired a Zen master living in seclusion in the mountains. One day, despite being weary from his journey, Li Bai eagerly arrived at the Zen master's residence. Standing outside the door, he felt uneasy, for he was making a sudden visit and feared disturbing the master's quiet practice. After a long pause, he took a deep breath and summoned his courage to knock on the master's door. The master slowly opened the door and looked kindly at the unexpected guest. With utmost respect, Li Bai explained his intention to the master, hoping to learn from his teachings. The master smiled gently and warmly invited Li Bai inside. In a serene atmosphere, they engaged in a delightful conversation about poetry and Zen, spending a beautiful time together.

Usage

用于比较正式的场合，表达自己行为的冒失和请求对方的谅解。

yòng yú bǐjiào zhèngshì de chǎnghé, biǎodá zìjǐ xíngwéi de màoshī hé qǐngqiú duìfāng de liǎngjiě.

Used in more formal situations, to express the inappropriateness of one's behavior and to ask for the other party's understanding.

Examples

  • 不揣冒昧，请问您贵姓？

    bù chuǎi mào mèi, qǐngwèn nín guì xìng?

    Excuse me, may I ask your name?

  • 我斗胆冒昧地问一下，您的计划进行得如何了？

    wǒ dǒudǎn mào mèi de wèn yīxià, nín de jìhuà jìnxíng de rúhé le?

    I'm sorry to bother you, but how is your plan coming along?

Related Idioms

  • 冒昧

  • 失礼

  • 冒失

Opposite Idioms

  • 鲁莽

  • 唐突