举一反三 jǔyī-fǎnsān to raise one and infer three
to raise one and infer three; to deduce many things from one case (idiom)
How to remember 举一反三: 举 lift + 一 one + 反 oppose + 三 three = to raise one and infer three.
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How it is used
- Praise for a quick learner: from one example you infer many - 他学东西能举一反三 (tā xué dōngxi néng jǔyī-fǎnsān) he can extrapolate from one case to many.
- Common in education/teaching talk; the compliment is about transferring a principle, not rote memory.
- Structure is literal: 举一 raise one, 反三 turn it into three.