Chinese idiom · 成语
折节读书
Meaning
To change one's old habits and devote oneself seriously to study.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical antecedentIn the Book of the Later Han's biography of Duan Jiong, he begins as a young man skilled with bow and horse who favors the life of a wandering knight-errant and treats wealth lightly. As an adult he changes direction and develops a liking for ancient learning. The passage uses 折节好古学: 折节 here means changing one's previous inclinations or conduct, rather than simply lowering one's social standing.
The fuller expression 折节读书 appears in later writings, including a passage cited from Wu Jing's Kaiyuan Shengping Yuan about turning to literary study after encouragement. Its central idea is a deliberate change of habits toward serious learning, not just reading with a humble manner.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他放下游乐的旧习，折节读书，准备重新报考大学。
He gave up his old habit of constant amusement and turned seriously to study, preparing to apply to university again.
Formal or literary: emphasizes changing old habits and taking up serious study.