‘教会徒弟饿死师父’

‘教会徒弟饿死师父’ is a Teochew proverb.Literally, it means “teaching the apprentice to starve the master to death.” Actuaclly,it means that imparting one’s skills without reservation will lead to competition, which will affect one’s income and even make it impossible for one to make a living.

‘教会’ means imparting one’s skills.’徒弟’ means apprentice.’饿死’ means starving to death.‘师父’ means the master or teacher.

To practice speaking this sentence in Teochew dialect,follow the audio below:

Apprenticeship with Blacksmith Ni

In Duxinting Township, Lantian District, Jieyang(a county within Teochew), there lived a blacksmith named Ni. His exquisite craftsmanship was renowned far and wide. Chen Caifeng, from a neighboring village, greatly admired his skills.

Through a courier, he offered to become his apprentice, promising to support him until his death. Blacksmith Ni, initially withdrawn and reluctant to accept an apprentice, finally agreed because of Chen Caifeng’s promise.

The Student Steals the Master’s Business

For several years, Ni, the blacksmith, taught Chen Caifeng everything he knew. He passed on all his skills to him.

However, Chen Caifeng valued only the craft. After learning, he left without saying goodbye, even competing with his master for business. He quickly became wealthy, while Ni, the blacksmith, fell into poverty due to old age.

A Clever Plan

One day, Ni the Blacksmith wandered into Chen Caifeng’s blacksmith shop, but Chen Caifeng was relentless. Ni accused Chen Caifeng of learning too hastily. Chen Caifeng, suspecting his master hadn’t yet passed on some crucial skills, hypocritically offered to keep him.

Thereafter, Chen Caifeng treated Ni the Blacksmith with utmost hospitality. However, Ni’s meticulous approach to his work gave Chen an air of enigma, which made Chen willingly care for him.

A few years later, Ni the blacksmith was dying. He left a note for Chen Caifeng which read ‘教会徒弟饿死师父’（teaching the apprentice to starve the master to death.). Chen Caifeng was filled with shame when he saw it.