📖 Meaning
A metaphor for passing off fakes as genuine. It describes situations where inferior or counterfeit things are mixed in with real ones to deceive people. The phrase evokes the image of fish eyes being passed off as precious pearls.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Daoist text 'Can Tong Qi' (参同契), which states 'How can a fish eye be a pearl?' The Tang dynasty poet Li Bai later used it in his poem 'Song of Minggao for Lord Cen,' writing 'The gecko mocks the dragon, fish eyes are mixed with pearls.' The idiom builds on the ancient observation that fish eyes can superficially resemble pearls but lack their true luster and value.
💡 Example Usage
市场上常有劣质商品鱼目混珍，消费者需仔细辨别。
Inferior goods are often passed off as genuine in the market, so consumers must discern carefully.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鱼目混珍
- Pinyin: yú mù hùn zhēn
- Literal Translation: fish, eye, mix, pearl
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4