自作聪明
自作聪明 (zì zuò cōng míng) literally means “self make cleverness” and expresses “too clever for one's own good”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zi zuo cong ming, zi zuo cong ming,自作聪明 meaning, 自作聪明 in english
Too clever for one's own good
Pronunciation: zì zuò cōng míng Literal meaning: Self make cleverness
Origin & Usage
Ming Dynasty storytellers gave us this sharp critique of those who create their own version of cleverness (自作聪明), often leading to foolish decisions. Qing Dynasty satirists particularly favored it when mocking social climbers and the pretentious. The psychological insight proves remarkably modern - connecting presumed cleverness with actual foolishness through excessive self-regard. Contemporary workplace dynamics still demonstrate how overestimated intelligence leads to counterproductive outcomes when proper consultation is abandoned for presumed superior insight.
When to Use
Situation: The employee implemented unauthorized changes that created technical problems
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 自作聪明 mean in English?
自作聪明 (zì zuò cōng míng) literally translates to “Self make cleverness” and is used to express “Too clever for one's own good”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 自作聪明 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving too clever for one's own good.
What is the pinyin for 自作聪明?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自作聪明 is “zì zuò cōng míng”.