Well Bottom Frog

http://characters.cultural-china.com/18hz33.html

Informant: John Ling, 19, M

Date Collected: 5/26/14

Genre: Proverb

Informant Data: John was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan and currently attends Dartmouth College. His background is Chinese-Taiwanese-American, and he is equally fluent in Mandarin and English, which are both his first languages. He does not remember where he first encountered this proverb, but was enthusiastic about sharing the story behind it. This proverb was collected through an interview at Dartmouth.

Text/Texture 

Chinese: 井底之蛙 (jĭng dĭ zhī wā)

Literal Translation: Well bottom frog

Free Translation: The frog at the bottom of the well. 

Context: This proverb can be used as a chastisement and a reminder to be open-minded and remember that there is more to the world than what you personally know and have experienced.

Meaning/Interpretation: The frog at the bottom of the well thinks he has seen the entire world through the top of the well. Don't be narrow-minded.