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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'Nanguo' with 南郭 (Nánguō)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    南郭 (Nánguō) is a two-character surname that appears in the classical Chinese idiom 滥竽充数, referring to Mr. Nanguo, who pretended to play the flute in a royal ensemble. It is often used as an allusion to someone faking competence.

    Examples

    • 南郭先生的故事大家都听过吧？

      Nánguō xiānsheng de gùshi dàjiā dōu tīng guò ba?

      Has everyone heard the story of Mr. Nanguo?

    • 他就像南郭先生一样，根本不会弹琴。

      Tā jiù xiàng Nánguō xiānsheng yīyàng, gēnběn bù huì tán qín.

      He's just like Mr. Nanguo — he can't play the instrument at all.

    • 别学南郭先生，要靠真本事。

      Bié xué Nánguō xiānsheng, yào kào zhēn běnshi.

      Don't be like Mr. Nanguo — you need to rely on real ability.

    Expressing 'Nanguo' with 南郭 (Nánguō) | Chinese Grammar