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
名副其实
míng fù qí shí
Living up to one's name or reputation
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言而有信
yán ér yǒu xìn
To be true to one's word
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天长地久
tiān cháng dì jiǔ
Everlasting; eternal
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望穿秋水
wàng chuān qiū shuǐ
To eagerly await someone or something
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急功近利
jí gōng jìn lì
Seek quick success and immediate benefit
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讳莫如深
huì mò rú shēn
Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter
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胡说八道
hú shuō bā dào
Talk complete nonsense without any foundation
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虎踞龙盘
hǔ jù lóng pán
Commanding imposing strategic position
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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”.