弄巧成拙
弄巧成拙 (nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō) literally means “playing clever becomes clumsy” and expresses “outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring”. 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: nong qiao cheng zhuo, nong qiao cheng zhuo,弄巧成拙 meaning, 弄巧成拙 in english
Outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring
Pronunciation: nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō
Literal meaning: Playing clever becomes clumsy
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes how attempting (弄) to be clever (巧) results (成) in clumsiness (拙). It captures the irony of sophisticated plans that backfire, producing worse outcomes than simple approaches would have. The phrase appeared in Song Dynasty texts criticizing officials whose intricate schemes created problems. It warns against overcomplication and excessive cleverness. Modern usage describes situations where attempts to be smart or sophisticated produce counterproductive results, often through trying too hard or overthinking.
Examples
English: "His elaborate excuse backfired and made things worse."
Chinese: 他精心编造的借口弄巧成拙，让事情变得更糟。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 弄巧成拙 mean in English?
弄巧成拙 (nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō) literally translates to “Playing clever becomes clumsy” and is used to express “Outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 弄巧成拙 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring.
What is the pinyin for 弄巧成拙?
The pinyin pronunciation for 弄巧成拙 is “nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō”.