叶公好龙(葉公好龍)
叶公好龙 (yè gōng hào lóng) literally means “lord ye loves dragons”and expresses “professed love hiding actual fear”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.
Also searched as: ye gong hao long, ye gong hao long,叶公好龙 meaning, 叶公好龙 in english
Pronunciation: yè gōng hào lóng Literal meaning: Lord Ye loves dragons
Origin & Usage
This ironic tale tells of Lord Ye (叶公) who professed to love (好) dragons (龙) but fled in terror when faced with a real one. During the Six Dynasties period, it became a standard criticism of superficial appreciation without genuine understanding. The dragon imagery carried particular weight in Chinese culture, where these creatures represented divine power and blessing. Modern usage describes the gap between theoretical support and practical commitment - from executives who praise innovation but reject new ideas, to reformers who retreat when facing real change.
When to Use
Situation: The executive claimed to value innovation but rejected every new idea presented
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
不远千里
bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
Learn more →
朝思暮想
zhāo sī mù xiǎng
Think about constantly; yearn for
Learn more →
魂牵梦萦
hún qiān mèng yíng
Yearn day and night
Learn more →
恋恋不舍
liàn liàn bù shě
Be deeply reluctant to leave
Learn more →
难分难舍
nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
Learn more →
海枯石烂
hǎi kū shí làn
Until the end of time; eternal love
Learn more →
一见钟情
yī jiàn zhōng qíng
Love at first sight
Learn more →
白头偕老
bái tóu xié lǎo
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 叶公好龙 mean in English?
叶公好龙 (yè gōng hào lóng) literally translates to “Lord Ye loves dragons”and is used to express “Professed love hiding actual fear”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..
When is 叶公好龙 used?
Situation: The executive claimed to value innovation but rejected every new idea presented
What is the pinyin for 叶公好龙?
The pinyin pronunciation for 叶公好龙 is “yè gōng hào lóng”.
Curated Lists Featuring 叶公好龙
10 Chinese Idioms from Famous Fables & Stories You Should Know
Learn Chinese idioms from classic fables including the fox and tiger, the frog in the well, and waiting for rabbits by a tree stump.
8 Powerful Chinese Idioms With Dragon (龙)
Discover Chinese idioms featuring the dragon (龙), a symbol of power, luck, and imperial authority in Chinese culture.
8 Spirited Chinese Idioms for Dragon Boat Festival
Energetic Chinese idioms for the Dragon Boat Festival, celebrating competition, tradition, and remembrance.