jǔ举raiseyī一onefǎn反returnsān三three
From one example, infer three more — generalise from a single case.
Literal meaning
raise (举) — one (一) — return (反) — three (三)
Origin
Analects (《论语·述而》). Confucius said he wouldn't bother teaching a student who couldn't 举一隅不以三隅反 — "given one corner, can't infer the other three." A learner who only memorises specifics without seeing the pattern wasn't worth more lessons.
Examples
Hǎo好de的xué学sheng生yīng应gāi该jǔ举yī一fǎn反sān三。
A good student should learn to generalise from one example.
Xué学le了zhè这ge个gōng公shì式，yào要huì会jǔ举yī一fǎn反sān三。
Once you've learned this formula, you should be able to extrapolate.
Usage & nuances
Common praise for fast learners or critique of students stuck on memorisation.
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