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Stories/Chinese folklore/Dongshi Imitates a Frown
HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

东施效颦

dōng shī xiào pín

Dongshi Imitates a Frown

A woman copies Xishi's pained expression without understanding why the same gesture appears beautiful on Xishi.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ3 min
HANZI243
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文化
CULTURE

Is Dongshi named in the original text?

The Zhuangzi passage calls the imitator only a woman from Xishi's village; the name 东施 was adopted in later tradition. 东施效颦 now describes copying another person's outward manner without understanding what makes it effective.

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Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01西施为什么按着胸口、皱着眉头？
02东施看到西施以后做了什么？
03东施没有明白什么？
0 / 3questions answered
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 东施效颦

What does 东施效颦 mean in English?

东施效颦 (dōng shī xiào pín) literally means “Dongshi imitates a frown.” It describes copying another person's outward behavior without understanding why it works, often producing the opposite effect.

When is 东施效颦 used?

Use 东施效颦 (dōng shī xiào pín) when imitation copies only the surface of something and misses the qualities or context that made the original effective. For example: The café copied a famous shop's dark lighting but made its own small room uncomfortable—an example of 东施效颦.

What is the pinyin for 东施效颦?

The pinyin pronunciation for 东施效颦 is “dōng shī xiào pín.”