Confucian

[kuhn-fyoo-shuhn]

noun

1. an adherent of the teachings of Confucius.

2. Also called Ju. a member of the school of philosophers, founded by Confucius, who codified in their teachings the traditional Chinese principles of ethics, morals, and politics.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling the teachings of Confucius.

Confucian

/ kənˈfjuːʃən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the doctrines of Confucius

noun

1. a follower of Confucius

Other Word Forms

• anti-Confucian noun
• post-Confucian noun
• pro-Confucian noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Confucian¹

First recorded in 1830–40; Confuci(us) + -an

Example Sentences

As the great Confucian Yogi Berra once observed, it’s getting late early—and if you’re going to read a Jason in the Journal, read Zweig.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Asian engineers and workers have a Confucian attitude towards work and stay very long hours in the plant, in contrast to American workers who are cognizant of their safety, leave and work hours.

Read more on Salon

“Turandot” is a riddle opera of Confucian confusion for which Puccini hadn’t found a solution.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During major holidays, they perform Confucian family rituals, placing rice, fruit and dried fish on an altar and bowing toward their ancestors’ graves in the North.

Read more on New York Times

Like many court ceremonies, the Confucian ritual that has been performed for centuries at the royal Jongmyo shrine in Korea, is meticulous and measured, stately and restrained.

Read more on New York Times