jūn zǐ bào chóu, shí nián bù wǎn: 君子报仇，十年不晚 - A Gentleman's Revenge Can Wait Ten Years

• Keywords: junzi baochou shi nian bu wan, 君子报仇十年不晚, Chinese proverb about revenge, gentleman's revenge, revenge is a dish best served cold in Chinese, patience in revenge, strategic waiting, Chinese idiom, chengyu.
• Summary: The Chinese proverb 君子报仇，十年不晚 (jūn zǐ bào chóu, shí nián bù wǎn) translates to “for a gentleman, ten years is not too late for revenge.” This classic idiom champions patience, emotional control, and strategic thinking over impulsive action. It suggests that true and effective retribution is not a matter of hot-headed anger, but a calculated, long-term plan executed by a person of noble character (a “jūnzǐ”). This page explores its cultural roots, modern usage, and nuances for learners of Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jūn zǐ bào chóu, shí nián bù wǎn
• Part of Speech: Proverb / Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: It's not too late for a noble person to take revenge, even after ten years.
• In a Nutshell: This saying isn't just about vengeance; it's about the *character* of the person seeking it. The ideal “jūnzǐ” (君子), a virtuous and wise individual, doesn't react rashly. Instead of succumbing to immediate anger, they play the long game. They wait, gather strength, and choose the perfect moment to act, ensuring their response is effective and just. The “ten years” is symbolic, simply meaning “a very long time.” The core idea is that patience is a strategic virtue, and delayed justice is more powerful than a hasty retort.

• 君 (jūn): A ruler, lord, or a gentleman; a person of noble character.
• 子 (zǐ): A noun suffix often used for masters or scholars (e.g., Confucius is 孔子 Kǒngzǐ).
  • Together, 君子 (jūnzǐ) is a core Confucian concept representing the ideal, morally upright, and wise person.
• 报 (bào): To repay, to requite, to report.
• 仇 (chóu): Hatred, enmity, a feud.
  • Together, 报仇 (bàochóu) means to exact revenge or to avenge a wrong.
• 十 (shí): Ten.
• 年 (nián): Year.
• 不 (bù): No, not.
• 晚 (wǎn): Late, tardy.
• How they combine: The phrase literally reads: “A gentleman (君子) taking revenge (报仇), ten years (十年) is not (不) too late (晚).”

This proverb is deeply embedded in the Confucian worldview, which prizes discipline, righteousness (义, yì), and emotional control. The protagonist here is not just anyone, but a 君子 (jūnzǐ). A `jūnzǐ` acts from a place of principle, not passion. Therefore, their “revenge” is often framed as a restoration of justice or balance rather than a petty, emotional act. Waiting for a decade is not a sign of weakness or cowardice; it is the ultimate sign of strength, foresight, and self-mastery. It implies that the person is so in control that they can suppress their immediate desire for satisfaction in favor of a more strategic, meaningful, and ultimately successful outcome. Comparison to Western Culture: The closest English equivalent is “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” However, there's a key difference in focus.

• The English phrase focuses on the method: cold, unemotional revenge is more effective and satisfying. The character of the person is secondary.
• The Chinese phrase focuses on the person: only a `jūnzǐ` (a person of high moral caliber) has the discipline and wisdom to wait. It elevates the act by tying it to a virtuous character type. A petty person (小人, xiǎorén) would seek revenge immediately and clumsily.

This phrase is versatile and can be used in both serious and humorous contexts.

• As a Serious Warning: In business, politics, or personal disputes, this can be uttered as a grave and menacing threat. It tells the other person, “I may not be able to do anything now, but I have a long memory. I will wait for my opportunity, and you will pay for what you've done.” It carries a heavy, chilling weight in this context.
• In Film and Literature: It's a classic trope in wuxia (武侠) and historical dramas. A young hero's family is killed, and they spend the next decade training in martial arts before returning to face the villain. This entire plot line is an embodiment of the proverb.
• As a Joke: Among friends, it's often used ironically for minor offenses. If a friend steals the last piece of pizza or beats you in a video game, you might laugh and say, “Hmph! 君子报仇，十年不晚!” It's a way to be dramatic and funny, implying you'll get them back later.

The connotation shifts dramatically based on tone and context, from a deadly serious promise to a lighthearted jest.

• Example 1:
  • 他在会议上被老板羞辱后，心里默默地说：“等着瞧吧，君子报仇，十年不晚。”
  • Pinyin: Tā zài huìyì shàng bèi lǎobǎn xiūrǔ hòu, xīnlǐ mòmò de shuō: “Děng zhe qiáo ba, jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn.”
  • English: After being humiliated by his boss in the meeting, he silently said to himself: “Just you wait. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.”
  • Analysis: This shows the proverb used as a serious, internal thought, indicating a deep-seated desire for future retribution in a professional setting.
• Example 2:
  • 你这次抢了我的鸡腿，没关系！君子报仇，十年不晚，下次我把你的甜点全吃光！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè cì qiǎngle wǒ de jītuǐ, méiguānxì! Jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn, xià cì wǒ bǎ nǐ de tiándiǎn quán chī guāng!
  • English: You stole my chicken leg this time, that's fine! A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years; next time I'll eat all of your dessert!
  • Analysis: A perfect example of the humorous, informal usage between friends over a trivial matter. The tone is light and joking.
• Example 3:
  • 这部武侠电影的剧情很简单，就是主角一家被灭门，然后他苦练武功，最终应验了“君子报仇，十年不晚”这句话。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù wǔxiá diànyǐng de jùqíng hěn jiǎndān, jiùshì zhǔjué yījiā bèi miè mén, ránhòu tā kǔ liàn wǔgōng, zuìzhōng yìngyànle “jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn” zhè jù huà.
  • English: The plot of this martial arts movie is very simple: the protagonist's entire family is wiped out, then he diligently practices martial arts, and finally fulfills the saying “a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.”
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the proverb to summarize a common plot trope, showing its cultural significance in storytelling.
• Example 4:
  • 那个腐败的官员现在虽然还在位，但很多人相信君子报仇，十年不晚，他总有一天会受到法律的制裁。
  • Pinyin: Nàge fǔbài de guānyuán xiànzài suīrán hái zài wèi, dàn hěnduō rén xiāngxìn jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn, tā zǒng yǒu yītiān huì shòudào fǎlǜ de zhìcái.
  • English: Although that corrupt official is still in power now, many people believe that a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years, and he will one day face legal justice.
  • Analysis: Here, “revenge” is interpreted as “justice.” The proverb expresses a patient faith that wrongdoing will eventually be punished. “君子” can be interpreted as the forces of justice or the public will.
• Example 5:
  • 看到竞争对手公司因为之前的非法操作而倒闭，他冷笑了一下，心想：我等了这么多年，果然是君子报仇，十年不晚。
  • Pinyin: Kàndào jìngzhēng duìshǒu gōngsī yīnwèi zhīqián de fēifǎ cāozuò ér dǎobì, tā lěngxiàole yīxià, xīnxiǎng: Wǒ děngle zhème duōnián, guǒrán shì jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn.
  • English: Seeing his rival company go bankrupt due to their previous illegal operations, he gave a cold smile and thought to himself: I've waited so many years, indeed, a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the feeling of vindication and satisfaction after a long, patient wait. The revenge is passive—simply waiting for the opponent to fail on their own.
• Example 6:
  • 别为这点小事生气了。俗话说君子报仇，十年不晚，你以后有的是机会“报复”他。
  • Pinyin: Bié wèi zhè diǎn xiǎoshì shēngqìle. Súhuà shuō jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn, nǐ yǐhòu yǒudeshì jīhuì “bàofù” tā.
  • English: Don't be angry over such a small thing. As the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years; you'll have plenty of opportunities to get “revenge” on him in the future.
  • Analysis: Used here as a way to calm someone down, advising them to let go of immediate anger and adopt a long-term perspective, even if the “revenge” part is said playfully.
• Example 7:
  • 输了这场辩论赛没关系，我们回去好好准备，下次再赢回来。君子报仇，十年不晚嘛！
  • Pinyin: Shūle zhè chǎng biànlùn sài méiguānxì, wǒmen huíqù hǎohǎo zhǔnbèi, xià cì zài yíng huílái. Jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn ma!
  • English: It doesn't matter that we lost this debate competition. Let's go back and prepare well, and we'll win next time. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years, right?
  • Analysis: In a competitive but non-violent context, the proverb is used to encourage resilience and long-term strategy over despair from a single loss.
• Example 8:
  • 两个家族的仇恨已经持续了几代人，每一代都抱着君子报仇，十年不晚的信念。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng gè jiāzú de chóuhèn yǐjīng chíxùle jǐ dài rén, měi yīdài dōu bàozhe jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn de xìnniàn.
  • English: The feud between the two families has lasted for generations, with each generation holding onto the belief that “a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.”
  • Analysis: This illustrates the proverb in a historical or literary context of a multi-generational feud, showing its role as a guiding principle for sustained animosity.
• Example 9:
  • 他为人非常记仇，总是把“君子报仇，十年不晚”挂在嘴边，所以没什么朋友。
  • Pinyin: Tā wéirén fēicháng jìchóu, zǒngshì bǎ “jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn” guà zài zuǐbiān, suǒyǐ méishénme péngyǒu.
  • English: He is a very vindictive person and always says “a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years,” so he doesn't have many friends.
  • Analysis: This shows a negative perception of someone who applies the proverb too broadly or seriously to everyday life, portraying them as petty and vengeful, thus misusing the “君子” spirit of the phrase.
• Example 10:
  • A: “He totally betrayed our trust!” B: “Calm down. Remember: 君子报仇，十年不晚.”
  • Pinyin: A: “Tā wánquán bèipànle wǒmen de xìnrèn!” B: “Lěngjìng diǎn. Jì zhù: jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián bù wǎn.”
  • English: A: “He totally betrayed our trust!” B: “Calm down. Remember: A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.”
  • Analysis: A concise, conversational exchange where the proverb is offered as strategic advice, urging patience over immediate, emotional reaction.

• Not Just About Being Vindictive: A common mistake for learners is to see this as a purely negative phrase about holding a grudge. The key is the term `君子 (jūnzǐ)`. The proverb implies that the revenge is a form of justice and that waiting is a sign of moral strength and wisdom, not petty bitterness.
• “Ten Years” is Figurative: Don't take “十年 (shí nián)” literally. It just means “a long time.” The focus is on the patience to wait for the opportune moment, however long that may be.
• “False Friend”: Holding a Grudge. In English, “holding a grudge” suggests a person is emotionally stuck, bitter, and unable to move on. `君子报仇，十年不晚` has a more proactive and strategic connotation. The `jūnzǐ` isn't stewing in bitterness; they are moving forward while keeping an eye out for the right moment to restore balance. It's about strategic patience, not emotional stagnation.
• Incorrect Usage: Using this for a truly minor, accidental slight (e.g., someone accidentally bumping into you on the subway) would be very strange. The wrongdoing needs to have some level of intent and significance for the proverb to apply, even humorously.

• `君子 (jūnzǐ)` - The noble, virtuous person. The central actor in this proverb.
• `小人 (xiǎorén)` - The opposite of a `jūnzǐ`; a petty, base, or vile person. A `xiǎorén` would seek revenge immediately and without thinking.
• `报仇 (bàochóu)` - The core action: to take revenge. This proverb describes *how* a specific type of person takes revenge.
• `卧薪尝胆 (wò xīn cháng dǎn)` - “To sleep on firewood and taste gall.” A famous idiom describing someone who endures extreme hardship to nurse a grievance and prepare for eventual revenge or victory. It's a much more intense and historical version of the same theme.
• `忍辱负重 (rěn rǔ fù zhòng)` - To endure humiliation and bear a heavy responsibility. This describes the *process* of waiting that a `jūnzǐ` might go through.
• `冤冤相报何时了 (yuān yuān xiāng bào hé shí liǎo)` - “When will the cycle of revenge ever end?” An antonymous concept, often from a Buddhist perspective, that questions the wisdom of seeking revenge at all.
• `以德报怨 (yǐ dé bào yuàn)` - “To repay injury with kindness.” A concept promoted by Confucius and Laozi as a higher moral path than seeking any form of revenge. This is the ultimate alternative to `报仇`.