错认颜标 — “To mistake one person for another”

错认颜标 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to mistake one person for another”. Often due to superficial judgment, ignorance, or a muddled mind. Literally, “Mistakenly recognize Yan Biao”.

Frequency

错认颜标 Pronunciation and Pinyin

错认颜标 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
错	cuò	13	wrong, miss, or interlace
认	rèn	4	recognize, admit, or accept
颜	yán	15	face, color
标	biāo	9	mark, label, bid, standard

Example Sentence with 错认颜标

他总是错认颜标，对新来的同事张冠李戴，闹出不少笑话

He often mistakes one person for another, confusing new colleagues and causing many humorous misunderstandings.

Origin and Story of 错认颜标

During the Tang Dynasty, the chief examiner, Zheng Xun, was grading the examination papers. He came across Yan Biao's paper. After a quick read, he didn't find it particularly outstanding.

However, he mistakenly believed Yan Biao was a descendant of Yan Zhenqing (who was posthumously granted the title Duke Lu, or Lu Gong). Thinking that such a loyal descendant deserved honor, he decided to make Yan Biao the top scholar.

On the day the candidates came to express their gratitude, Zheng Xun finally realized his error and that he had indeed mistaken Yan Biao for someone else.

Later, people commented: 'The chief examiner was too muddled-headed, mistaking Yan Biao for Duke Lu.'