黔驴技穷
黔驴技穷 (qián lǘ jì qióng) literally means “donkey's tricks exhausted” and expresses “run out of tricks”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: qian lv ji qiong, qian lv ji qiong,黔驴技穷 meaning, 黔驴技穷 in english
Run out of tricks
Pronunciation: qián lǘ jì qióng
Literal meaning: Donkey's tricks exhausted
Origin & Usage
This wry expression originates from a Tang Dynasty essay about a donkey (驴) in Guizhou (黔) province whose initial novelty made it seem special, until its limited tricks (技) were exhausted (穷). The story mocks superficial talents that quickly reveal their limitations. When first brought to the region, the donkey amazed locals who had never seen such a creature, but its appeal faded once its ordinary nature became apparent. Contemporary usage describes someone whose supposedly impressive abilities prove shallow or situations where initial promise gives way to revealed mediocrity. It serves as a caution against overvaluing novelty without substance.
Examples
English: "After his one viral video, he struggled to recreate that success"
Chinese: 在他那一个视频走红之后，就再也没能复制那样的成功
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 黔驴技穷 mean in English?
黔驴技穷 (qián lǘ jì qióng) literally translates to “Donkey's tricks exhausted” and is used to express “Run out of tricks”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 黔驴技穷 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving run out of tricks.
What is the pinyin for 黔驴技穷?
The pinyin pronunciation for 黔驴技穷 is “qián lǘ jì qióng”.