CHENGYU
东施效颦(dōng shī xiào pín)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary
- Source:
- 《庄子·天运》
MEANING
- Literal
- Dongshi copies the frown
- Figurative meaning
- to imitate others clumsily and make things worse
ORIGIN STORY
The beauty Xishi frowned when her heart ached, and everyone found it lovely. The ugly Dongshi imitated the frown, and the neighbors were so horrified they shut their doors.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“a poor imitation”
EXAMPLES
她学明星打扮，结果东施效颦，很难看。Tā xué míngxīng dǎban, jiéguǒ dōng shī xiào pín, hěn nánkàn.HSK6
She copied a celebrity's look and ended up a clumsy imitation that looks awful.
不适合自己的风格别硬学，小心东施效颦。Bù shìhé zìjǐ de fēnggé bié yìng xué, xiǎoxīn dōng shī xiào pín.HSK6
Do not force a style that does not fit you; beware of copying the frown.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It mocks bad imitation; 邯郸学步 stresses losing yourself, 东施效颦 stresses looking foolish.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01