🛖 三顾茅庐 sān gù máo lú – Winning Trust Through Sincerity

🛖 三顾茅庐 sān gù máo lú – Winning Trust Through Sincerity

🔍 What It Means

三顾茅庐 (sān gù máo lú) literally means “three visits to the thatched cottage.”


Word-for-word:

  • 三 (sān) – three
  • 顾 (gù) – to visit
  • 茅庐 (máo lú) – thatched cottage

This idiom describes someone who shows deep sincerity and patience when asking for help — especially when seeking advice, talent, or support.


In English, it’s like saying:

  • 🙏 “Humble persistence”
  • 🏃 “Going the extra mile to ask someone’s help”
  • 👣 “Seeking wisdom with respect and determination”

🏺 Where It Comes From

This idiom comes from a famous story in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.


Liu Bei, a warlord, wanted the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang to join him.

But when Liu Bei first visited Zhuge Liang’s home — a simple thatched cottage — he wasn’t there.

Liu Bei came again. Still no luck.

Only on the third visit, Zhuge Liang finally met him.

Liu Bei’s sincerity impressed him — and Zhuge Liang agreed to help.

Together, they built a legendary partnership.


That became a metaphor:

Humble effort wins respect and builds trust.

💬 How to Use It

Use 三顾茅庐 when someone puts in repeated effort to ask for someone’s help — and shows genuine humility in doing so.


  • ✅ Often used when seeking mentors, experts, or support
  • ✅ Can also describe leaders or employers showing great respect for talent

🎯 Real Examples

1. 公司为了请这位专家，三顾茅庐，终于打动了他。

  • Gōngsī wèile qǐng zhè wèi zhuānjiā, sān gù máo lú, zhōngyú dǎdòng le tā.
  • 👉 The company visited this expert three times and finally moved him with their sincerity.


2. 他不是轻易答应的人，要靠你的真诚和耐心去三顾茅庐。

  • Tā bú shì qīngyì dāyìng de rén, yào kào nǐ de zhēnchéng hé nàixīn qù sān gù máo lú.
  • 👉 He doesn’t say yes easily — you’ll need sincerity and patience to win him over.

⚠️ Common Mistakes (Watch Out!)

❌ Mistake: Using this to describe chasing someone romantically

✅ Correct: It refers to respectfully asking for help or wisdom, not love or dating


❌ Mistake: Thinking it means just visiting three times

✅ Correct: It’s not about the number — it’s about the sincerity and patience behind the effort


✅ Comment: This idiom isn’t just about trying hard — it’s about deep respect and humility when asking for help.

💡 Memory Tip

Image

A well-dressed man bows deeply with hands folded — showing great respect.

Two companions stand behind him, serious and quiet.

And in the doorway of a simple thatched cottage, a calm scholar watches kindly.


This is 三顾茅庐 — when humility and effort open the door to wisdom.

🧩 Interactive Practice

Translate this sentence into English:

  • 他愿意加入我们团队，是因为我们真心三顾茅庐请他。

Answer:

  • He agreed to join our team because we sincerely made repeated efforts to invite him.

🌟 Final Thoughts

三顾茅庐 reminds us that respect and sincerity open doors — especially when reaching out to others.

Sometimes, success isn’t about being clever — but being genuine.

☝️ Ask yourself: Am I showing enough patience and respect when I seek support?

👉 Stay tuned for the next idiom in this series!