捉刀代笔 — “To ghostwrite”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 捉刀代笔?

指代人出力或代写文章。

捉刀代笔 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to ghostwrite”. To perform a task or write an article on behalf of someone else, often when they are unwilling or unable to do it themselves. Literally, “Grasp a sword and write on behalf of another”.

Frequency

捉刀代笔 Pronunciation and Pinyin

捉刀代笔 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
捉	zhuō	10	catch, seize, or grasp
刀	dāo	2	knife
代	dài	5	replace; generation; era
笔	bǐ	10	writing tool, stroke, to write

Example Sentence with 捉刀代笔

小明因为工作太忙，只好请一位同事捉刀代笔，帮忙撰写年度报告。

Xiao Ming was too busy with work, so he had to ask a colleague to ghostwrite his annual report for him.

Origin and Story of 捉刀代笔

During the Three Kingdoms period, the notoriously suspicious Cao Cao, when meeting an envoy from the Xiongnu, wanted to project a majestic image. He had the handsome Cui Jigui impersonate him during the reception, while he himself, disguised as a warrior, stood by the bed holding a sword.

After the meeting, Cao Cao ordered a spy to ask the Xiongnu envoy about his impression of the King of Wei.

The envoy replied that the man holding the sword by the bed was the true hero.