📖 Meaning
Literally referring to superfluous tumors and warts attached to the body, this idiom metaphorically describes things that are unnecessary, useless, and redundant. It is commonly used to criticize superfluous elements that add clutter without serving any purpose.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Zhuangzi (庄子), specifically the chapter '骈拇' (Webbed Toes), written by the Daoist philosopher Zhuang Zhou during the Warring States period. The original text states that attached growths and hanging warts arise from physical form yet are excessive to one's true nature. The Tang dynasty scholar Cheng Xuanying (成玄英) annotated these as superfluous flesh growing on the body and small warts suspended from it. Zhuangzi used these physical anomalies as metaphors for things that exceed natural necessity and should not be cultivated.
💡 Example Usage
这些多余的装饰不过是附赘县疣，删去反而清爽。
These superfluous decorations are nothing but useless appendages; removing them makes it cleaner.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 附赘县疣
- Pinyin: fù zhuì xiàn yóu
- Literal Translation: attached, superfluous growth, hanging, wart
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4