📖 Meaning
A metaphor for blindly echoing or following others without independent judgment. Just as one dog's bark sets off a chorus of barking from all the others, people often repeat rumors or opinions they hear without verification.
📜 Origin Story
From the Han Dynasty scholar Ying Shao's work Fengsu Tong (风俗通), in the chapter on strange deities concerning Lord Li's Shrine (李君神). The story describes a blind man who allegedly regained his sight, drawing crowds from far and wide to bring offerings. Ying Shao used the phrase '众犬吠声' to describe how one dog barks and all others join in mindlessly, critiquing how people spread rumors and follow trends without critical examination.
💡 Example Usage
他没有自己的主见，凡事众犬吠声，从不独立思考。
He has no opinions of his own, always echoing others blindly and never thinking for himself.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 众犬吠声
- Pinyin: zhòng quǎn fèi shēng
- Literal Translation: many, dogs, bark, sound
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4