葫芦依样 — “To imitate mechanically”
葫芦依样 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to imitate mechanically”. To follow a model or pattern without originality or creative thought. Literally, “Draw a gourd according to a model”.
葫芦依样 Pronunciation and Pinyin
葫芦依样 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 葫芦依样
Origin and Story of 葫芦依样
During the early Song Dynasty, Tao Gu, a Hanlin academician, considered himself a brilliant writer and a man of great talent. He sought a promotion and tried to impress Emperor Taizu by emphasizing the importance of literary work.
However, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin regarded Tao Gu's job as merely copying, dismissing it as 'drawing gourds according to a pattern' (依样画葫芦).
Disappointed that his objective was not achieved, Tao Gu inscribed a poem on his dwelling's wall: 'Laughable indeed is Tao Gu, the Hanlin scholar, year after year he just draws gourds following the pattern.'
Idioms Related to 葫芦依样
Synonyms of 葫芦依样
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Open the tool →Questions about 葫芦依样
What does 葫芦依样 mean?
葫芦依样 (hú lu yī yàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to imitate mechanically”.
How do you pronounce 葫芦依样?
葫芦依样 is pronounced hú lu yī yàng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 葫芦依样 literally mean?
Literally, 葫芦依样 means “Draw a gourd according to a model”. It is used to mean “to imitate mechanically”.
Where does 葫芦依样 come from?
葫芦依样 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to the modern era. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 葫芦依样?
依样画葫芦。比喻只是模仿，缺乏创造。