Main » Chinese Idioms » Translation Details
班门弄斧 - Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter.
Posted by: CLHost   hear the audio    In: Chinese Idioms (9)   
  retweet   
| More
班门弄斧
bān mén nòng fǔ
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter.

ban1 men2 nong4 fu3

Explanation
Make a fool of oneself trying to show off in front of an expert; Show off one's skill before an expert; Teach fish (how) to swim.

The Story
古代有一个建筑和雕刻技术非常高超的人,名叫鲁班,他是一个善于制作精巧器具的能手,木匠行里尊称他为祖师。传说他曾用木头制作了一只五彩斑斓的凤 凰,能够在空中飞翔三天不掉下来。谁敢在鲁班门前卖弄使用斧子的技术,也就是说,想在大行家面前显示自的本领,这种太不谦虚的可笑行为,就叫做“鲁班门前 弄大斧”,简称“班门弄斧”。 这句成语有时也用作自谦之词,表示自己不敢在行家面前卖弄自己的小本领。

Lu Ban (lǔ bān 鲁班) was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.

Usage Sample
在你面前班门弄斧,太不好意思了.
I'm making a fool of myself trying to show off before an expert like you.



Comments/More Examples
No post yet. Be the first to add one!


Add Your Comments/Examples

CAPTCHA image
Enter the code shown above in the box below
Post Comment


Translate Chinese Idioms 班门弄斧 into English 英文翻译 English Translation, Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter. 中文翻译 Chinese Translation bān mén nòng fǔ