Chinese Idiom: 小巫见大巫 (Xiao Wu Jian Da Wu)
English Translation: The lesser witch sees the greater witch
pīn yīn: xiǎo wū jiàn dà wū
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone with lesser skills or abilities is overshadowed by someone with much greater talent. It emphasizes the vast difference in ability between two parties, rendering the lesser one’s skills insignificant.
Historical Source: “Records of the Three Kingdoms” (三国志·吴书·张纮传)
Idiom Story
This story dates back to the Three Kingdoms period. During this time, there were two friends from the same hometown: one named Chen Lin, who was an official in the state of Wei, and another named Zhang Hong, who served as a strategist for Sun Quan in the state of Wu. Both were highly talented and admired each other, frequently exchanging letters to discuss poetry and literature.
On one occasion, Zhang Hong wrote a piece dedicated to a special pillow made from jujube wood. Chen Lin, who was miles away, read this piece and was full of admiration. During a banquet with his guests, Chen Lin proudly shared the article, praising its elegance and freshness. He boasted, “This piece is so refined and novel! Do you know who wrote this? My fellow townsman, Zhang Hong.”
Later, Zhang Hong had the opportunity to read Chen Lin’s works, such as “The Military Arsenal Fu” and “The Treatise on Adaptability.” He was equally impressed and immediately wrote a letter to Chen Lin, lauding his unique and refreshing literary style and expressing a desire to learn from him.
When Chen Lin received Zhang Hong’s letter, he was deeply moved. In his reply, Chen Lin modestly stated, “I live in the North, where news and interactions with scholars are limited. Because of this, I haven’t been exposed to the greater world of literature. Here, there are few who can write well, so it’s easy for me to stand out and receive undue praise. My talent isn’t truly exceptional; compared to you all, the difference is vast. It’s like a lesser witch encountering a greater witch and being unable to perform any magic.”
This story illustrates the idiom “小巫见大巫,” highlighting the vast disparity in abilities between two individuals, where the lesser skilled one feels inadequate in the presence of someone far more talented.
