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
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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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”.