懇曲（kěn qǔ）

Pronunciation: kěn qǔ

Basic Meaning: Sincere and humble in attitude or behavior

Detailed Explanation: The idiom "懇曲" refers to being sincere and humble in one's attitude or behavior. It originated from ancient China and is often used to describe someone who is earnestly seeking help or showing great respect to others. It embodies the virtues of humility, sincerity, and respect in interpersonal relationships.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is commonly used in formal situations or when interacting with someone of higher status, such as in professional settings, official meetings, or when seeking assistance from others. It emphasizes the importance of being respectful and sincere in one's words and actions.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the ancient Chinese practice of paying respect to one's superiors or seeking help from others. In ancient times, people would bow down and perform a humble and sincere gesture, known as "曲躬" (qū gōng), to show their respect or request assistance. Over time, the phrase "懇曲" was formed to describe this humble and sincere behavior.

Structure of the Idiom: The idiom "懇曲" is composed of two characters: "懇" (kěn) meaning sincere and earnest, and "曲" (qǔ) meaning to bow or bend down. The combination of these two characters conveys the concept of being sincere and humble.

Example Sentences:

1. 在求職面試時，她懇曲地向面試官表達了自己的誠意。

2. 他懇曲地請求老師幫助他提高成績。

3. 在與長輩交流時，我們應該懇曲待人，尊敬他們的意見。

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of the idiom "懇曲," you can associate "懇" (kěn) with the word "earnest" and "曲" (qǔ) with the action of bending down or bowing. Visualize someone earnestly bowing down in a humble and sincere manner to help you remember the meaning of the idiom.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of sincerity and humility, you can explore related Chinese idioms such as "謙虛" (qiān xū) meaning modesty, "謹慎" (jǐn shèn) meaning cautiousness, and "敬畏" (jìng wèi) meaning reverence. These idioms collectively reflect the values of respect, humility, and sincerity in Chinese culture.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

- Elementary School Student: 我懇曲地向老師請教問題。

- Middle School Student: 他懇曲地請求同學們幫助他完成作業。

- High School Student: 在面試時，她懇曲地表達了自己的職業目標。

- College Student: 我懇曲地請求教授給我一次補考的機會。