Chinese Idiom: 东施效颦 (Dong Shi Xiao Pin)
English Translation: Dong Shi Imitates Frowning
pīn yīn: dōng shī xiào pín
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where someone imitates another person’s behavior or appearance without understanding the underlying reasons or context, leading to an outcome that is the opposite of the original. It implies that superficial imitation without comprehension often results in failure or ridicule.
Historical Source: 庄子·天运》 (Zhuangzi, Book of Heaven’s Way)
Idiom Story:
Zhuangzi (庄子), also known as Zhuang Zhou, was a prominent Daoist philosopher from the Warring States period in ancient China. His writings include many allegorical tales, among which is the story of Dong Shi and Xi Shi.
Xi Shi (西施) was a renowned beauty from the state of Yue. She suffered from a heart condition that caused her to frequently clutch her chest and frown. Her beauty was so renowned that her mannerisms, even those caused by her ailment, were considered charming by those who saw her.
In a village nearby, there lived an unattractive woman named Dong Shi (东施). Seeing Xi Shi’s distressed but admired appearance, Dong Shi decided to imitate her. She began to mimic Xi Shi’s habit of clutching her chest and frowning, hoping to capture some of Xi Shi’s allure.
However, Dong Shi’s imitation did not have the desired effect. The wealthy residents of the village, witnessing her odd behavior, chose to shut their doors and stay away. The poorer villagers, finding her appearance even less appealing, avoided her with their families. Dong Shi’s attempt to emulate Xi Shi’s charm was misguided because she only copied the superficial aspects without understanding why they were appealing.
The story highlights the folly of imitating someone without grasping the essence of what makes their qualities admirable. Thus, “东施效颦” (Dong Shi Imitates Frowning) is used to describe the failure of shallow imitation and the importance of understanding the context behind someone’s traits or behaviors.
