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HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

滥竽充数

làn yú chōng shù

The Man Who Pretended to Play

A man hides inside a large royal orchestra until a new king asks every musician to perform alone.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ5 min
HANZI207
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文化
CULTURE

Hiding in the crowd

滥竽充数 comes from an ancient story recorded in Han Feizi. It describes someone without the required ability who fills a place or passes as qualified by hiding among others.

Key vocabulary12 words from this story
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阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01南郭先生其实不会做什么？
02老国王为什么一直没有发现他？
03新国王要怎样听演奏？
0 / 3questions answered
阅读练习完成

You finished the story.

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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 滥竽充数

What does 滥竽充数 mean in English?

滥竽充数 (làn yú chōng shù) literally means “an unskilled player fills a place in the orchestra.” It describes an unqualified person passing as capable by hiding among others.

When is 滥竽充数 used?

Use 滥竽充数 when someone without the required ability occupies a position or makes up the numbers. For example: He copied the team’s work and contributed nothing; he was 滥竽充数.

What is the pinyin for 滥竽充数?

The pinyin pronunciation for 滥竽充数 is “làn yú chōng shù.”