📖 Meaning
This idiom describes someone who lacks real ability but pretends to be competent by blending in with a group of skilled people. It can also refer to inferior goods being passed off as high-quality ones. The implication is that the impostor will eventually be exposed when genuine skill is tested.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Han Feizi (《韩非子·内储说上》), written by the Legalist philosopher Han Fei during the Warring States period. King Xuan of Qi loved hearing a 300-person ensemble of yu (a reed wind instrument) players perform together. A man named Nanguo Chushi, who could not actually play the yu, joined the ensemble and pretended to play, drawing a salary along with the real musicians. When King Xuan died and King Min took the throne, the new king preferred listening to each player perform solo. Fearing exposure, Nanguo fled overnight.
💡 Example Usage
不会吹竽的人混在乐队里滥竽充数。
People who cannot actually play the yu still mix into the ensemble to make up the numbers.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 滥竽充数
- Pinyin: làn yú chōng shù
- Literal Translation: dishonest, yu (reed instrument), make up, the count
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4