CHENGYU
班门弄斧(bān mén nòng fǔ)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, self-deprecating
- Source:
- 唐·柳宗元《王氏伯仲唱和诗序》
MEANING
- Literal
- to wield an axe at Lu Ban's door
- Figurative meaning
- to show off one's small skill before a master
ORIGIN STORY
Lu Ban was the legendary master carpenter of ancient China. To swing an axe at his gate meant parading modest skill before a great master.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to teach one's grandmother to suck eggs”
EXAMPLES
在专家面前谈这个问题，真是班门弄斧。Zài zhuānjiā miànqián tán zhège wèntí, zhēn shì bān mén nòng fǔ.HSK6
Discussing this before the experts is showing off in front of a master.
我这是班门弄斧，还请各位老师指教。Wǒ zhè shì bān mén nòng fǔ, hái qǐng gèwèi lǎoshī zhǐjiào.HSK6
I am wielding an axe before Lu Ban — please correct me, teachers.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Often used politely about oneself; using it about others can be an insult.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-14
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01