📖 Meaning
The idiom literally refers to distinguishing horses by sex (male or female) and color (black or yellow). Originally it meant that one should focus on the essential nature of things rather than superficial external features. Later it came to metaphorically refer to superficial or external phenomena.
📜 Origin Story
From《列子·说符》(Liezi, 'Shuo Fu' chapter). Duke Mu of Qin asked the legendary horse expert Bole to find a supreme horse, and Bole recommended Jiufang Gao. After a long search Jiufang Gao found one, but when asked about its appearance he said it was a yellow female, whereas the actual horse turned out to be a black male. Duke Mu was displeased, but Bole explained that Jiufang Gao had looked only at the horse's inner spirit and talent, completely ignoring superficial traits like color and sex—exactly the mark of a true connoisseur.
💡 Example Usage
他看问题只看牝牡骊黄，不究其实质，难免会做出错误的判断。
He judges matters by superficial appearances without examining their real substance, so he inevitably makes mistaken judgments.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 牝牡骊黄
- Pinyin: pìn mǔ lí huáng
- Literal Translation: female, male, black, yellow
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4