How do you pronounce 依样画葫芦?

依样画葫芦 is pronounced yī yàng huà hú lu in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 依样画葫芦 literally mean?

Literally, 依样画葫芦 means “to draw a gourd according to the model”. It is used to mean “to mechanically imitate without originality or creativity”.

Where does 依样画葫芦 come from?

依样画葫芦 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 依样画葫芦?

照别人画的葫芦的样子画葫芦。比喻单纯模仿，没有创新。

依样画葫芦 — “To mechanically imitate without originality or creativity”

依样画葫芦 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to mechanically imitate without originality or creativity”. To copy slavishly without understanding or innovation. Literally, “To draw a gourd according to the model”.

Frequency

依样画葫芦 Pronunciation and Pinyin

依yī
样yàng
画huà
葫hú
芦lu

依样画葫芦 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
依	yī	8	rely on, according to
样	yàng	10	kind, type, sample, appearance
画	huà	8	draw, paint, or picture
葫	hú	12	bottle gourd
芦	lu	7	reed plant

Example Sentence with 依样画葫芦

在学习新技能时，如果只是依样画葫芦，很难真正掌握其精髓。

When learning a new skill, if one merely imitates without originality, it's difficult to truly grasp its essence.

Origin and Story of 依样画葫芦

In the early Song Dynasty, Tao Gu, a Hanlin academician, believed his writing skills were superior and his talent exceptional. Hoping to distinguish himself and secure a promotion, he advised Emperor Taizu of Song to prioritize literary work.

However, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin thought Tao Gu's job was merely copying, likening it to "drawing gourds according to a model."

Tao Gu's goal was not achieved, so he inscribed a poem on the wall of his residence: "It's laughable that Hanlin Academician Tao, year after year, just 'draws gourds according to a model'."

Idioms Related to 依样画葫芦

Synonyms of 依样画葫芦

Antonyms of 依样画葫芦

More idioms starting with 依

Questions about 依样画葫芦

What does 依样画葫芦 mean?: 依样画葫芦 (yī yàng huà hú lu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to mechanically imitate without originality or creativity”.
How do you pronounce 依样画葫芦?: 依样画葫芦 is pronounced yī yàng huà hú lu in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 依样画葫芦 literally mean?: Literally, 依样画葫芦 means “to draw a gourd according to the model”. It is used to mean “to mechanically imitate without originality or creativity”.
Where does 依样画葫芦 come from?: 依样画葫芦 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 依样画葫芦?: 照别人画的葫芦的样子画葫芦。比喻单纯模仿，没有创新。

Copy the pinyin for 依样画葫芦 →Choose tone marks or tone numbers and copy the complete four-character reading.Read Chinese vocabulary and idiom guides →Continue with words, phrases, and idioms explained through natural examples.