杯弓蛇影
杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng) literally means “bow in cup snake shadow” and expresses “needlessly suspicious”. 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: bei gong she ying, bei gong she ying,杯弓蛇影 meaning, 杯弓蛇影 in english
Needlessly suspicious
Pronunciation: bēi gōng shé yǐng
Literal meaning: Bow in cup snake shadow
Origin & Usage
This tale from the Jin Dynasty chronicles a scholar who saw a bow's (弓) reflection in his cup (杯), mistaking it for a snake (蛇) shadow (影). His subsequent illness from fear only subsided when he discovered the truth. First recorded in 'Jin Shu', the story resonated with Buddhist teachings about how perceptions shape reality. The idiom addresses how misunderstandings can create real consequences, even when based on illusory fears. In contemporary usage, it serves as a caution against letting unfounded anxieties or misperceptions affect decision-making, particularly relevant in business and social media contexts where appearances can be deceptive.
Examples
English: "The team's excessive caution about minor changes paralyzed decision-making"
Chinese: 团队对小变化的过度警惕导致决策瘫痪
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 杯弓蛇影 mean in English?
杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng) literally translates to “Bow in cup snake shadow” and is used to express “Needlessly suspicious”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 杯弓蛇影 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving needlessly suspicious.
What is the pinyin for 杯弓蛇影?
The pinyin pronunciation for 杯弓蛇影 is “bēi gōng shé yǐng”.