Proverb / Kotowaza
青は藍よりいでて藍より青し
A student or disciple who surpasses their teacher in skill or knowledge.
Blue comes from indigo and is bluer than indigo
Quick Answer
A student or disciple who surpasses their teacher in skill or knowledge.
- Literal Image
- Blue comes from indigo and is bluer than indigo
- Closest Equivalent
- The student surpasses the master
- How to Use It
- Used to praise or acknowledge a student, child, or subordinate who has reached a higher level of mastery or success than their mentor or predecessor.
Meaning
This expression highlights the growth and achievement of a learner. It compares the relationship between a teacher and a student to blue dye, which is extracted from the indigo plant but results in a deeper, more vibrant color than the plant itself. It is used to describe a pupil's abilities eventually exceeding those of their mentor, or a child surpassing their parents.
Literal Image
Blue comes from indigo and is bluer than indigo
Equivalent Proverbs
The student surpasses the master
A direct semantic equivalent.
How to Use It
Used to praise or acknowledge a student, child, or subordinate who has reached a higher level of mastery or success than their mentor or predecessor.
Tone
positive and respectful; can be used with a sense of pride by a teacher or parent.
Examples
弟子が師匠を超える演奏を披露した。青は藍よりいでて藍より青しだ。
The disciple gave a performance that surpassed their master. It is truly a case of 'the blue being bluer than the indigo'.
教え子の活躍を見て、青は藍よりいでて藍より青しと誇らしく思った。
Watching the success of my former student, I felt proud that they had surpassed me.
子どもが親を超えていくのは青は藍よりいでて藍より青しで、喜ばしいことだ。
It is a happy thing when children grow to exceed their parents, just as blue becomes deeper than the indigo plant.
彼はかつての師匠を超える作品を生み出した。まさに青は藍より出でて藍より青しだ。
He created a work that surpasses his former teacher's; truly, the student has become the master.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb uses classical grammar forms like 'idete' and the 'aoshi' adjective ending, along with specific vocabulary like 'indigo' (ai).
青
あお / ao
blue; green
藍
あい / ai
indigo plant; indigo dye
いでて
いでて / idete
coming out; emerging (classical form)
あおし
あおし / aoshi
is blue (classical terminal form)
Usage Profile
Usage note: While positive, ensure the context is about legitimate growth or skill rather than mere competition.
Misread Risk
Avoid using it for situations that don't involve a teacher-student or parent-child dynamic; the focus is on the source and the derivative.
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Origin
Originates from the words of the Chinese philosopher Xunzi. It uses the metaphor of dye taken from the indigo plant (ai), which through processing becomes a more vivid blue than the original plant, to describe a disciple eventually surpassing their master.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.