自作聪明(自作聰明)
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 & character.
Also searched as: zi zuo cong ming, zi zuo cong ming,自作聪明 meaning, 自作聪明 in english
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.
When to Use
Situation: The employee implemented unauthorized changes that created technical problems
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
不远千里
bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
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朝思暮想
zhāo sī mù xiǎng
Think about constantly; yearn for
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魂牵梦萦
hún qiān mèng yíng
Yearn day and night
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恋恋不舍
liàn liàn bù shě
Be deeply reluctant to leave
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难分难舍
nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
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海枯石烂
hǎi kū shí làn
Until the end of time; eternal love
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一见钟情
yī jiàn zhōng qíng
Love at first sight
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白头偕老
bái tóu xié lǎo
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
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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 theRelationships & 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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