弟子规 (Dì Zǐ Guī), the Standards for Being a Good Student and Child, was written by the Qing-dynasty teacher Li Yuxiu and is still recited in Chinese schools in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and beyond. Its 1,080 characters are arranged in three-character phrases that set out everyday manners: answering your parents straight away, keeping your room tidy, returning what you borrow, telling the truth and reading carefully. This worksheet copies the first twenty phrases, the introduction and the opening of the section on honoring your parents, in rows of grids with pinyin. Below, the full text appears in its eight traditional sections with simplified and traditional characters, pinyin and an English translation, so you can print any section. Readings that trip people up, like 晨则省 (chén zé xǐng) and 勿见能 (wù xiàn néng), are explained. Print it free or save the PDF, and recite each line as you copy it.
About the Standards for Being a Good Student and Child
弟子规 (dì zǐ guī), by 李毓秀 (Lǐ Yùxiù), Qing dynasty (1644-1912). Written by the Qing-dynasty teacher Li Yuxiu as 训蒙文 (xùn méng wén) and later revised and renamed 弟子规 (dì zǐ guī) by Jia Cunren.
1. Introduction (总叙 zǒng xù)
- 弟子规，圣人训。首孝悌，次谨信。 dì zǐ guī shèng rén xùn shǒu xiào tì cì jǐn xìn: The Standards for Students come from the teachings of the sages: first respect your parents and elders, then be careful and trustworthy.
- 泛爱众，而亲仁。有余力，则学文。 fàn ài zhòng ér qīn rén yǒu yú lì zé xué wén: Care about everyone and stay close to good people; when you have energy to spare, study books and the arts.
2. At home: honor your parents (入则孝 rù zé xiào)
- 父母呼，应勿缓。父母命，行勿懒。 fù mǔ hū yìng wù huǎn fù mǔ mìng xíng wù lǎn: When your parents call, answer right away; when they ask you to do something, do it without dawdling.
- 父母教，须敬听。父母责，须顺承。 fù mǔ jiào xū jìng tīng fù mǔ zé xū shùn chéng: When your parents teach you, listen respectfully; when they scold you, accept it calmly.
- 冬则温，夏则凊。晨则省，昏则定。 dōng zé wēn xià zé qìng chén zé xǐng hūn zé dìng: Keep them warm in winter and cool in summer; check on them in the morning and settle them at night.
- 出必告，反必面。居有常，业无变。 chū bì gào fǎn bì miàn jū yǒu cháng yè wú biàn: Tell them before you go out and see them when you return; keep a steady routine and stick with your work.
- 事虽小，勿擅为。苟擅为，子道亏。 shì suī xiǎo wù shàn wéi gǒu shàn wéi zǐ dào kuī: Even in small matters, don't act without asking; acting on your own falls short of a child's duty.
- 物虽小，勿私藏。苟私藏，亲心伤。 wù suī xiǎo wù sī cáng gǒu sī cáng qīn xīn shāng: Even small things should not be hidden away for yourself; doing that hurts your parents.
- 亲所好，力为具。亲所恶，谨为去。 qīn suǒ hào lì wèi jù qīn suǒ wù jǐn wèi qù: Do your best to provide what your parents like, and carefully clear away what they dislike.
- 身有伤，贻亲忧。德有伤，贻亲羞。 shēn yǒu shāng yí qīn yōu dé yǒu shāng yí qīn xiū: If you get hurt, your parents worry; if you behave badly, your parents feel ashamed.
- 亲爱我，孝何难。亲憎我，孝方贤。 qīn ài wǒ xiào hé nán qīn zēng wǒ xiào fāng xián: When parents are loving, honoring them is easy; honoring them when they are harsh shows real goodness.
- 亲有过，谏使更。怡吾色，柔吾声。 qīn yǒu guò jiàn shǐ gēng yí wú sè róu wú shēng: If your parents make a mistake, gently urge them to change, with a pleasant face and a soft voice.
- 谏不入，悦复谏。号泣随，挞无怨。 jiàn bú rù yuè fù jiàn háo qì suí tà wú yuàn: If they won't listen, wait until they are in a good mood and try again; even if you end up in tears or punished, hold no grudge.
- 亲有疾，药先尝。昼夜侍，不离床。 qīn yǒu jí yào xiān cháng zhòu yè shì bù lí chuáng: When your parents are ill, taste their medicine first; look after them day and night and stay by their bed.
- 丧三年，常悲咽。居处变，酒肉绝。 sāng sān nián cháng bēi yè jū chǔ biàn jiǔ ròu jué: Mourn them for three years, often in tears; live simply and give up wine and meat.
- 丧尽礼，祭尽诚。事死者，如事生。 sāng jìn lǐ jì jìn chéng shì sǐ zhě rú shì shēng: Hold the funeral with full respect and remember them sincerely; honor the dead as you honored the living.
3. Away from home: respect your elders (出则悌 chū zé tì)
- 兄道友，弟道恭。兄弟睦，孝在中。 xiōng dào yǒu dì dào gōng xiōng dì mù xiào zài zhōng: Older siblings should be kind and younger ones respectful; when brothers and sisters get along, that honors your parents too.
- 财物轻，怨何生。言语忍，忿自泯。 cái wù qīng yuàn hé shēng yán yǔ rěn fèn zì mǐn: If you care little about money and things, resentment has no room to grow; if you hold back harsh words, anger fades on its own.
- 或饮食，或坐走。长者先，幼者后。 huò yǐn shí huò zuò zǒu zhǎng zhě xiān yòu zhě hòu: Whether eating and drinking, sitting down or walking, elders go first and the young follow.
- 长呼人，即代叫。人不在，己即到。 zhǎng hū rén jí dài jiào rén bú zài jǐ jí dào: When an elder calls for someone, go and fetch that person; if they aren't there, go yourself.
- 称尊长，勿呼名。对尊长，勿见能。 chēng zūn zhǎng wù hū míng duì zūn zhǎng wù xiàn néng: Don't call elders by their given names, and don't show off in front of them.
- 路遇长，疾趋揖。长无言，退恭立。 lù yù zhǎng jí qū yī zhǎng wú yán tuì gōng lì: When you meet an elder on the road, hurry over and bow; if they don't speak, step back and stand respectfully.
- 骑下马，乘下车。过犹待，百步余。 qí xià mǎ chéng xià chē guò yóu dài bǎi bù yú: If you are riding, get off your horse; if you are in a carriage, step down; wait until the elder is more than a hundred steps away.
- 长者立，幼勿坐。长者坐，命乃坐。 zhǎng zhě lì yòu wù zuò zhǎng zhě zuò mìng nǎi zuò: When elders are standing, the young do not sit; when elders sit down, sit only when they invite you.
- 尊长前，声要低。低不闻，却非宜。 zūn zhǎng qián shēng yào dī dī bù wén què fēi yí: Speak softly in front of elders, but not so softly that they can't hear you.
- 进必趋，退必迟。问起对，视勿移。 jìn bì qū tuì bì chí wèn qǐ duì shì wù yí: Walk up to elders briskly and leave slowly; stand up to answer their questions and keep your eyes on them.
- 事诸父，如事父。事诸兄，如事兄。 shì zhū fù rú shì fù shì zhū xiōng rú shì xiōng: Treat your uncles as you treat your father, and your older cousins as you treat your own older brothers.
4. Be careful in everyday life (谨 jǐn)
- 朝起早，夜眠迟。老易至，惜此时。 zhāo qǐ zǎo yè mián chí lǎo yì zhì xī cǐ shí: Get up early and work into the evening; old age comes quickly, so treasure this time.
- 晨必盥，兼漱口。便溺回，辄净手。 chén bì guàn jiān shù kǒu biàn niào huí zhé jìng shǒu: Every morning wash your face and rinse your mouth; after using the toilet, always wash your hands.
- 冠必正，纽必结。袜与履，俱紧切。 guān bì zhèng niǔ bì jié wà yǔ lǚ jù jǐn qiè: Wear your hat straight and do up your buttons; put your socks and shoes on snugly.
- 置冠服，有定位。勿乱顿，致污秽。 zhì guān fú yǒu dìng wèi wù luàn dùn zhì wū huì: Keep your hat and clothes in their proper place; don't toss them around where they get dirty.
- 衣贵洁，不贵华。上循分，下称家。 yī guì jié bú guì huá shàng xún fèn xià chèn jiā: Clothes should be clean rather than fancy; dress to suit your position and what your family can afford.
- 对饮食，勿拣择。食适可，勿过则。 duì yǐn shí wù jiǎn zé shí shì kě wù guò zé: Don't be picky about food and drink; eat just enough and don't overdo it.
- 年方少，勿饮酒。饮酒醉，最为丑。 nián fāng shào wù yǐn jiǔ yǐn jiǔ zuì zuì wéi chǒu: While you are young, don't drink alcohol; being drunk is the most shameful thing.
- 步从容，立端正。揖深圆，拜恭敬。 bù cóng róng lì duān zhèng yī shēn yuán bài gōng jìng: Walk calmly, stand up straight, bow deeply and greet people respectfully.
- 勿践阈，勿跛倚。勿箕踞，勿摇髀。 wù jiàn yù wù bǒ yǐ wù jī jù wù yáo bì: Don't step on the doorsill, lean on one leg, sprawl when you sit, or jiggle your legs.
- 缓揭帘，勿有声。宽转弯，勿触棱。 huǎn jiē lián wù yǒu shēng kuān zhuǎn wān wù chù léng: Lift a door curtain slowly and quietly; take corners wide so you don't bump into edges.
- 执虚器，如执盈。入虚室，如有人。 zhí xū qì rú zhí yíng rù xū shì rú yǒu rén: Carry an empty vessel as carefully as a full one; enter an empty room as if someone were there.
- 事勿忙，忙多错。勿畏难，勿轻略。 shì wù máng máng duō cuò wù wèi nán wù qīng lüè: Don't rush, because rushing causes mistakes; don't be afraid of hard things, and don't be careless with easy ones.
- 斗闹场，绝勿近。邪僻事，绝勿问。 dòu nào chǎng jué wù jìn xié pì shì jué wù wèn: Never go near fights or rowdy places, and never get mixed up in wrong or improper things.
- 将入门，问孰存。将上堂，声必扬。 jiāng rù mén wèn shú cún jiāng shàng táng shēng bì yáng: Before going through a door, ask who is inside; before entering the hall, speak up so people know you are coming.
- 人问谁，对以名。吾与我，不分明。 rén wèn shuí duì yǐ míng wú yǔ wǒ bù fēn míng: When someone asks "Who is it?", answer with your name; "It's me" doesn't tell them anything.
- 用人物，须明求。倘不问，即为偷。 yòng rén wù xū míng qiú tǎng bú wèn jí wéi tōu: To use other people's things, ask clearly first; taking without asking is stealing.
- 借人物，及时还。后有急，借不难。 jiè rén wù jí shí huán hòu yǒu jí jiè bù nán: Give back what you borrow on time; then when you need something later, it will be easy to borrow again.
5. Be trustworthy (信 xìn)
- 凡出言，信为先。诈与妄，奚可焉。 fán chū yán xìn wéi xiān zhà yǔ wàng xī kě yān: Whenever you speak, honesty comes first; lies and wild talk are never acceptable.
- 话说多，不如少。惟其是，勿佞巧。 huà shuō duō bù rú shǎo wéi qí shì wù nìng qiǎo: Talking a lot is not as good as talking a little; say what is true, not what is clever or flattering.
- 奸巧语，秽污词。市井气，切戒之。 jiān qiǎo yǔ huì wū cí shì jǐng qì qiè jiè zhī: Sly talk, dirty words and coarse habits: avoid them completely.
- 见未真，勿轻言。知未的，勿轻传。 jiàn wèi zhēn wù qīng yán zhī wèi dí wù qīng chuán: Don't talk about what you haven't seen clearly, or pass on what you don't know for sure.
- 事非宜，勿轻诺。苟轻诺，进退错。 shì fēi yí wù qīng nuò gǒu qīng nuò jìn tuì cuò: Don't rush to promise something that isn't right; if you do, you'll be wrong whether you keep the promise or break it.
- 凡道字，重且舒。勿急疾，勿模糊。 fán dào zì zhòng qiě shū wù jí jí wù mó hú: Whenever you speak, say each word clearly and evenly, not too fast and not mumbled.
- 彼说长，此说短。不关己，莫闲管。 bǐ shuō cháng cǐ shuō duǎn bù guān jǐ mò xián guǎn: When people gossip about who is good and who is bad, if it isn't your business, stay out of it.
- 见人善，即思齐。纵去远，以渐跻。 jiàn rén shàn jí sī qí zòng qù yuǎn yǐ jiàn jī: When you see someone do good, aim to match them; even if you are far behind, you can catch up step by step.
- 见人恶，即内省。有则改，无加警。 jiàn rén è jí nèi xǐng yǒu zé gǎi wú jiā jǐng: When you see someone do wrong, look at yourself; if you do the same, change, and if not, stay on guard.
- 唯德学，唯才艺。不如人，当自砺。 wéi dé xué wéi cái yì bù rú rén dāng zì lì: In character and learning, talent and skills, if you fall short of others, push yourself to improve.
- 若衣服，若饮食。不如人，勿生戚。 ruò yī fú ruò yǐn shí bù rú rén wù shēng qī: In clothes or food, if you have less than others, don't let it upset you.
- 闻过怒，闻誉乐。损友来，益友却。 wén guò nù wén yù lè sǔn yǒu lái yì yǒu què: If criticism makes you angry and praise makes you happy, bad friends will come and good friends will leave.
- 闻誉恐，闻过欣。直谅士，渐相亲。 wén yù kǒng wén guò xīn zhí liàng shì jiàn xiāng qīn: If praise makes you cautious and criticism makes you glad, honest and sincere people will slowly become your friends.
- 无心非，名为错。有心非，名为恶。 wú xīn fēi míng wéi cuò yǒu xīn fēi míng wéi è: A wrong done without meaning to is a mistake; a wrong done on purpose is wickedness.
- 过能改，归于无。倘掩饰，增一辜。 guò néng gǎi guī yú wú tǎng yǎn shì zēng yì gū: A mistake you correct is wiped away; if you cover it up, you add another wrong.
6. Care for everyone (泛爱众 fàn ài zhòng)
- 凡是人，皆须爱。天同覆，地同载。 fán shì rén jiē xū ài tiān tóng fù dì tóng zài: Love all people; we live under the same sky and on the same earth.
- 行高者，名自高。人所重，非貌高。 xíng gāo zhě míng zì gāo rén suǒ zhòng fēi mào gāo: People who act well earn a good name; what others respect is character, not looks.
- 才大者，望自大。人所服，非言大。 cái dà zhě wàng zì dà rén suǒ fú fēi yán dà: People with great ability earn a great reputation; what others admire is ability, not big talk.
- 己有能，勿自私。人所能，勿轻訾。 jǐ yǒu néng wù zì sī rén suǒ néng wù qīng zǐ: If you have a skill, don't keep it to yourself; if others have one, don't belittle it.
- 勿谄富，勿骄贫。勿厌故，勿喜新。 wù chǎn fù wù jiāo pín wù yàn gù wù xǐ xīn: Don't flatter the rich or look down on the poor; don't tire of old friends or chase only new ones.
- 人不闲，勿事搅。人不安，勿话扰。 rén bù xián wù shì jiǎo rén bù ān wù huà rǎo: Don't bother people when they are busy, or pester them with talk when they are upset.
- 人有短，切莫揭。人有私，切莫说。 rén yǒu duǎn qiè mò jiē rén yǒu sī qiè mò shuō: Never expose other people's weak points, and never spread their private business.
- 道人善，即是善。人知之，愈思勉。 dào rén shàn jí shì shàn rén zhī zhī yù sī miǎn: Talking about others' good deeds is itself a good deed; when they hear about it, they will try even harder.
- 扬人恶，即是恶。疾之甚，祸且作。 yáng rén è jí shì è jí zhī shèn huò qiě zuò: Spreading others' wrongdoing is itself wrong; hating too much brings trouble.
- 善相劝，德皆建。过不规，道两亏。 shàn xiāng quàn dé jiē jiàn guò bù guī dào liǎng kuī: When friends encourage each other to do good, both grow in character; when they ignore each other's faults, both fall short.
- 凡取与，贵分晓。与宜多，取宜少。 fán qǔ yǔ guì fēn xiǎo yǔ yí duō qǔ yí shǎo: In giving and taking, be clear about what is fair; give more and take less.
- 将加人，先问己。己不欲，即速已。 jiāng jiā rén xiān wèn jǐ jǐ bú yù jí sù yǐ: Before you do something to others, ask yourself first; if you wouldn't want it done to you, stop at once.
- 恩欲报，怨欲忘。报怨短，报恩长。 ēn yù bào yuàn yù wàng bào yuàn duǎn bào ēn cháng: Repay kindness and let go of grudges; keep resentment short and gratitude long.
- 待婢仆，身贵端。虽贵端，慈而宽。 dài bì pú shēn guì duān suī guì duān cí ér kuān: Treat household helpers with upright behavior, and with kindness and generosity as well.
- 势服人，心不然。理服人，方无言。 shì fú rén xīn bù rán lǐ fú rén fāng wú yán: If you win people over by force, they won't agree in their hearts; win them over with reason, and they will have nothing to object to.
7. Stay close to good people (亲仁 qīn rén)
- 同是人，类不齐。流俗众，仁者希。 tóng shì rén lèi bù qí liú sú zhòng rén zhě xī: We are all people, but we are not all alike: ordinary people are many, and truly good people are rare.
- 果仁者，人多畏。言不讳，色不媚。 guǒ rén zhě rén duō wèi yán bú huì sè bú mèi: A truly good person is held in awe; they speak frankly and never fawn.
- 能亲仁，无限好。德日进，过日少。 néng qīn rén wú xiàn hǎo dé rì jìn guò rì shǎo: Staying close to good people does endless good: your character grows every day and your faults shrink.
- 不亲仁，无限害。小人进，百事坏。 bù qīn rén wú xiàn hài xiǎo rén jìn bǎi shì huài: Keeping away from them does endless harm: petty people move in and everything goes wrong.
8. With energy to spare, study (余力学文 yú lì xué wén)
- 不力行，但学文。长浮华，成何人。 bú lì xíng dàn xué wén zhǎng fú huá chéng hé rén: If you only read books and never put them into practice, you become shallow and showy; what kind of person is that?
- 但力行，不学文。任己见，昧理真。 dàn lì xíng bù xué wén rèn jǐ jiàn mèi lǐ zhēn: If you only act and never study, you rely on your own opinions and miss the truth.
- 读书法，有三到。心眼口，信皆要。 dú shū fǎ yǒu sān dào xīn yǎn kǒu xìn jiē yào: Good reading needs three things: your mind, your eyes and your mouth must all be there.
- 方读此，勿慕彼。此未终，彼勿起。 fāng dú cǐ wù mù bǐ cǐ wèi zhōng bǐ wù qǐ: While reading one book, don't long for another; don't start the next one before finishing this one.
- 宽为限，紧用功。工夫到，滞塞通。 kuān wéi xiàn jǐn yòng gōng gōng fū dào zhì sè tōng: Give yourself plenty of time, but work hard; with enough effort, what is stuck becomes clear.
- 心有疑，随札记。就人问，求确义。 xīn yǒu yí suí zhá jì jiù rén wèn qiú què yì: When you have a question, write it down; ask someone and find the exact meaning.
- 房室清，墙壁净。几案洁，笔砚正。 fáng shì qīng qiáng bì jìng jī àn jié bǐ yàn zhèng: Keep your room tidy and your walls clean, your desk neat and your brush and inkstone straight.
- 墨磨偏，心不端。字不敬，心先病。 mò mó piān xīn bù duān zì bú jìng xīn xiān bìng: Ink ground unevenly shows a wandering mind; careless handwriting shows a careless heart.
- 列典籍，有定处。读看毕，还原处。 liè diǎn jí yǒu dìng chù dú kàn bì huán yuán chù: Keep your books in their proper places; when you finish reading, put them back.
- 虽有急，卷束齐。有缺坏，就补之。 suī yǒu jí juàn shù qí yǒu quē huài jiù bǔ zhī: Even in a hurry, roll up and tie your scrolls neatly; if a book is damaged, repair it.
- 非圣书，屏勿视。蔽聪明，坏心志。 fēi shèng shū bǐng wù shì bì cōng míng huài xīn zhì: Put aside books that are not wholesome; they cloud your mind and weaken your will.
- 勿自暴，勿自弃。圣与贤，可驯致。 wù zì bào wù zì qì shèng yǔ xián kě xùn zhì: Never give up on yourself: step by step, you too can become wise and good.
Readings that trip people up
Where readers and editions differ, we chose the reading below and list the others.
Standards for Being a Good Student and Child reading notes| Character | Our reading | Also read | Why |
|---|
| 悌 | tì | — | Older printings write 首孝弟 and 出则弟; 弟 there means 悌 (tì), so this text uses 悌. |
| 省 | xǐng | shěng | 晨则省 'check on (parents) in the morning' is xǐng, as in 反省. |
| 凊 | qìng | — | 凊 (cool) is a different character from 清 (qīng, clear). |
| 见 | xiàn | jiàn | 勿见能 'don't show off your ability': 见 = 现 (xiàn). |
| 称 | chèn | chēng | 下称家 'suit what your family can afford' is chèn; 称尊长 'address elders' is chēng. |
| 的 | dí | de | 知未的 'not known for certain': 的 as in 的确 (dí). |
| 溺 | niào | nì | 便溺 'urinate' is biàn niào. |
| 咽 | yè | yān, yàn | 悲咽 'sob' is bēi yè. |
| 丧 | sāng | sàng | 丧 'mourning, funeral' is sāng; sàng means 'lose'. |
| 谁 | shuí | shéi | Recitation editions use shuí; shéi is the everyday colloquial reading. |
| 为 | wèi | wéi | 力为具 and 谨为去 mean '(do) for them', so 为 is wèi; 勿擅为 'act on your own' and 名为错 'is called' are wéi. |
| 处 | chǔ | chù | 居处 'where one lives' is chǔ; 有定处 / 还原处 'place' is chù. |
Edition notes
- 首孝悌: Older printings write 首孝弟 (弟 read tì).
- 泛爱众: Older printings write 汎爱众 (汎 = 泛).
- 倘掩饰: Some printings write 揜饰 (揜 = 掩).
- 后有急，借不难: One printing reads 人借物，有勿悭 instead.
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Frequently asked questions
What does 弟子规 (dì zǐ guī) mean?
弟子规 (dì zǐ guī) means 'Standards for Students', rules for being a good student and child. 弟子 (dì zǐ) means young people and pupils, and 规 (guī) means rules. It sets out everyday manners at home, outside, with friends and in study.
Who wrote the Di Zi Gui?
The Qing-dynasty teacher 李毓秀 (Lǐ Yùxiù) wrote it as 训蒙文 (xùn méng wén), a text for teaching children; 贾存仁 (Jiǎ Cúnrén) later revised it and gave it the name 弟子规 (dì zǐ guī). It is built on a passage from the Analects of Confucius.
How many characters are in the 弟子规 (dì zǐ guī)?
1,080: ninety lines of twelve characters, each line made of four three-character phrases. The text has eight parts, from the introduction, 总叙 (zǒng xù), to study, 余力学文 (yú lì xué wén). The worksheet prints twenty phrases at a time.
Is the Di Zi Gui suitable for young children?
Yes, as a text to read and copy: its three-character phrases are short, rhythmic and easy to recite, which is why Chinese schools in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia use it. Start with the introduction and the section on home, 入则孝 (rù zé xiào).
Is this worksheet free to print?
Yes. The Di Zi Gui worksheet is free to print or save as a PDF, with no account or email needed, and you can print as many copies as you like for a class. Choose A4 or US Letter before you press Print or Save PDF.