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.
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.
Examples
English: "The employee implemented unauthorized changes that created technical problems"
Chinese: 这名员工擅自实施了导致技术问题的未经授权的更改
Related Chinese Idioms
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一模一样
yī mú yī yàng
Exactly identical
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuān
Accept all with open mind
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以和为贵
yǐ hé wéi guì
Value harmony above all
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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风雨同舟
fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
Share hardships together
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春风化雨
chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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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: The employee implemented unauthorized changes that created technical problems
What is the pinyin for 自作聪明?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自作聪明 is “zì zuò cōng míng”.
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