How do you pronounce 依样葫芦?

依样葫芦 is pronounced yī yàng hú lu in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 依样葫芦 literally mean?

Literally, 依样葫芦 means “Draw a gourd from a model; draw a gourd in the same way”. It is used to mean “to imitate mechanically without innovation or originality”.

Where does 依样葫芦 come from?

依样葫芦 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。同“依样画葫芦”。

依样葫芦 — “To imitate mechanically without innovation or originality”

依样葫芦 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to imitate mechanically without innovation or originality”. To copy exactly without understanding or adding anything new. Literally, “Draw a gourd from a model; draw a gourd in the same way”.

Frequency

依样葫芦 Pronunciation and Pinyin

依yī
样yàng
葫hú
芦lu

依样葫芦 Character Breakdown

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

Example Sentence with 依样葫芦

小明在完成绘画作业时，总是依样葫芦，从不尝试加入自己的创意。

When completing his drawing assignments, Xiao Ming always copies mechanically, never trying to add his own creativity.

Origin and Story of 依样葫芦

In the early Song Dynasty, Tao Gu, a Hanlin academician, prided himself on his excellent writing and outstanding talent. Eager for a promotion, he advised Emperor Taizu of Song to emphasize literary work.

However, Emperor Taizu, Zhao Kuangyin, believed Tao Gu's job was merely copying, likening it to 'drawing a gourd from a model' (依样画葫芦), meaning to imitate mechanically.

Disappointed that his goal was not achieved, Tao Gu inscribed a poem on the wall of his residence: 'How laughable is Academician Tao of Hanlin, year after year, he merely draws gourds from a model.'

Idioms Related to 依样葫芦

Synonyms of 依样葫芦

Antonyms of 依样葫芦

More idioms starting with 依

Questions about 依样葫芦

What does 依样葫芦 mean?: 依样葫芦 (yī yàng hú lu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to imitate mechanically without innovation or originality”.
How do you pronounce 依样葫芦?: 依样葫芦 is pronounced yī yàng hú lu in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 依样葫芦 literally mean?: Literally, 依样葫芦 means “Draw a gourd from a model; draw a gourd in the same way”. It is used to mean “to imitate mechanically without innovation or originality”.
Where does 依样葫芦 come from?: 依样葫芦 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。同“依样画葫芦”。

Copy the pinyin for 依样葫芦 →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.