邯郸学步
邯郸学步 (hán dān xué bù) literally means “handan learn walking” and expresses “lose abilities through misguided imitation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: han dan xue bu, han dan xue bu,邯郸学步 meaning, 邯郸学步 in english
Lose abilities through misguided imitation
Pronunciation: hán dān xué bù Literal meaning: Handan learn walking
Origin & Usage
Zhuangzi's philosophical writings tell of a youth who so admired the walking style of Handan (邯郸) residents that in trying to learn it (学步), he forgot his natural gait and had to crawl home. Han Dynasty rhetoricians transformed this tale into a broader warning about the dangers of imitation. The story perfectly captures how pursuing artificial excellence can lead to losing natural competence.
When to Use
Situation: The writer abandoned his natural style to poorly imitate a famous author
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Sudden complete understanding after confusion
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归根到底
guī gēn dào dǐ
Fundamentally or in the final analysis
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Avoid situations that invite suspicion
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得不偿失
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Gains not worth the cost or sacrifice
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Recruit talent from rival organization
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程门立雪
chéng mén lì xuě
Show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom
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chén yú luò yàn
Beauty so stunning it affects natural world
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 邯郸学步 mean in English?
邯郸学步 (hán dān xué bù) literally translates to “Handan learn walking” and is used to express “Lose abilities through misguided imitation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 邯郸学步 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving lose abilities through misguided imitation.
What is the pinyin for 邯郸学步?
The pinyin pronunciation for 邯郸学步 is “hán dān xué bù”.