叶公好龙
yè gōng hào lóng
Professed love without substance
Literalmente: Lord Ye loves dragons
En 15 segundos
- Loving the idea of something, but fearing the actual reality.
- Calling out someone who is being a hypocritical poser.
- Based on a lord who loved dragon art but feared dragons.
Significado
It describes someone who claims to love something passionately but gets terrified when they actually face it. It's that awkward moment when your 'passion' turns out to be just for show.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Teasing a friend who claims to love horror movies but covers their eyes
你总是说喜欢恐怖片，结果全程不敢看，真是叶公好龙。
You always say you love horror movies, but you didn't dare look the whole time. You're just like Lord Ye.
Critiquing a boss who asks for 'creative ideas' then rejects them all
老板口口声声说要创新，可真有了新方案他又怕风险，简直是叶公好龙。
The boss keeps talking about innovation, but he's afraid of risk when a plan arrives. It's total hypocrisy.
Texting a friend who bailed on a marathon they suggested
是谁说要挑战自我的？现在不去跑了？叶公好龙啊你！
Who was the one saying they wanted to challenge themselves? Now you're not going? You're such a poser!
Contexto cultural
Originating from the Han Dynasty, this idiom is based on a fable that satirizes people who are inconsistent in their words and deeds. It reflects a deep-seated Chinese cultural value of 'Sincerity' (诚), where harmony between one's inner feelings and outer expressions is highly prized. It has remained popular for over 2,000 years as a tool for social and political satire.
The 'Poser' Vibe
Think of this as the perfect translation for 'poser' or 'wannabe' when someone is trying too hard to look like they belong to a group they actually fear.
Don't be too mean
Because this phrase calls out hypocrisy, it can be offensive. Use it with friends as a joke, but be careful using it with superiors unless you're writing an anonymous critique!
En 15 segundos
- Loving the idea of something, but fearing the actual reality.
- Calling out someone who is being a hypocritical poser.
- Based on a lord who loved dragon art but feared dragons.
What It Means
Imagine a friend who constantly talks about their love for extreme adventure. They wear the gear and watch the movies. But the second you suggest skydiving, they turn pale and hide. That is 叶公好龙. It is about superficial love. It is about loving the *idea* of something, not the reality. You use it to call out hypocrisy or shallow interests. It suggests that the person's passion is just a hollow shell.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone comment or within a sentence. Usually, you say someone is 叶公好龙. It functions like an adjective or a descriptive phrase. You can use it to tease a friend or criticize a public figure. It is punchy and carries a bit of a sting. Don't use it if you want to be super gentle. It definitely implies the person is being a bit of a fake.
When To Use It
Use it when someone's actions don't match their loud proclamations. Use it in a meeting when a boss wants 'innovation' but rejects every new idea. Use it when a friend claims to love spicy food but cries over a mild salsa. It works great in political commentary or social critiques. It is perfect for those 'I told you so' moments. Text it to a friend who backed out of a challenge.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for genuine fear or phobias. If someone is truly terrified of spiders, don't call them 叶公好龙. Do not use it in very formal mourning or tragic situations. It has a mocking tone that can feel dismissive. If someone is trying their best but failing, this phrase is too harsh. It targets the *pretense* of love, not the lack of skill. Keep it for the posers and the hypocrites.
Cultural Background
This comes from a famous story by Liu Xiang. There was a man named Lord Ye who obsessed over dragons. He had dragon carvings on his walls, pillars, and furniture. A real dragon heard about this and felt touched. It flew down to visit Lord Ye at his house. Instead of being happy, Lord Ye was scared out of his wits. He ran away screaming for his life. The story became a timeless metaphor for shallow obsession.
Common Variations
You won't find many variations because the four-character structure is iconic. Sometimes people just refer to the 'Lord Ye' (叶公) part in modern slang. You might hear people say 'Don't be a Lord Ye.' In modern internet slang, people might use it to describe 'posers' in subcultures. It remains one of the most recognizable idioms in China today.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral-to-informal in daily life but can be used in formal writing. The key is the tone—it's meant to expose a contradiction between words and reality.
The 'Poser' Vibe
Think of this as the perfect translation for 'poser' or 'wannabe' when someone is trying too hard to look like they belong to a group they actually fear.
Don't be too mean
Because this phrase calls out hypocrisy, it can be offensive. Use it with friends as a joke, but be careful using it with superiors unless you're writing an anonymous critique!
The Dragon Symbol
In China, dragons are usually auspicious and loved. This idiom is funny because the protagonist claims to love the most sacred creature but is actually terrified of it.
Ejemplos
6你总是说喜欢恐怖片，结果全程不敢看，真是叶公好龙。
You always say you love horror movies, but you didn't dare look the whole time. You're just like Lord Ye.
A classic way to tease a friend about a shallow interest.
老板口口声声说要创新，可真有了新方案他又怕风险，简直是叶公好龙。
The boss keeps talking about innovation, but he's afraid of risk when a plan arrives. It's total hypocrisy.
Used here to point out a contradiction in professional behavior.
是谁说要挑战自我的？现在不去跑了？叶公好龙啊你！
Who was the one saying they wanted to challenge themselves? Now you're not going? You're such a poser!
Short, punchy, and perfect for a quick jab via text.
他所谓的关心弱势群体不过是叶公好龙，从没见他做过实事。
His so-called concern for the vulnerable is just for show; I've never seen him do anything real.
A more serious, critical tone used in social commentary.
当初吵着要养狗，现在又不肯遛狗，你这就是叶公好龙。
You begged for a dog, but now you won't walk it. You only liked the idea of a pet.
Used to teach a lesson about responsibility and reality.
他说他热爱中国文化，却连一个汉字都不愿学，真是叶公好龙。
He says he loves Chinese culture but won't learn a single character. It's a very shallow love.
Highlights the gap between stated interest and actual effort.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct idiom to describe someone who claims to love spicy food but can't handle a tiny bit of chili.
他自称无辣不欢，可见了辣椒就躲，真是___。
The person claims to love something (spicy food) but avoids it in reality, which fits the definition of Lord Ye's fake love for dragons.
Complete the sentence to criticize a superficial interest.
如果你只是为了面子而假装喜欢，那就是___，没意义。
Pretending to like something just for 'face' or status is a classic example of 'Lord Ye loving dragons'.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Where to use '叶公好龙'
Teasing friends about being 'fake' or 'posers'.
You're such a Lord Ye!
Describing someone's inconsistent behavior in daily life.
His hobby is just for show.
Used in literature or political critiques of hypocrisy.
The policy is a form of 'Lord Ye' love.
Common Scenarios for '叶公好龙'
Fake Hobbies
Buying a guitar but never touching it.
Corporate Hypocrisy
Asking for feedback then getting angry.
Dating/Relationships
Saying you want 'honesty' but hating the truth.
Social Media
Posting about fitness but never going to the gym.
Banco de ejercicios
2 ejercicios他自称无辣不欢，可见了辣椒就躲，真是___。
The person claims to love something (spicy food) but avoids it in reality, which fits the definition of Lord Ye's fake love for dragons.
如果你只是为了面子而假装喜欢，那就是___，没意义。
Pretending to like something just for 'face' or status is a classic example of 'Lord Ye loving dragons'.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Preguntas frecuentes
11 preguntasYes, it is extremely common and taught to almost every child in China. You will see it in newspapers, books, and hear it in daily conversations.
Absolutely! It's a great way to be self-deprecating. For example, 我对健身房也就是叶公好龙 (My love for the gym is just for show).
Mostly yes, it describes a person's attitude or behavior. You wouldn't use it to describe an object or a place.
It can be. It's a direct accusation of being insincere. Use it carefully in formal settings or with people you don't know well.
Hypocrisy is broader. 叶公好龙 specifically focuses on the gap between a 'professed love' and a 'fear of the reality'.
Yes, if you are discussing a strategy that sounds good on paper but no one wants to actually implement. It's a sophisticated way to point out a lack of commitment.
He was a fictional figure from a story by Liu Xiang. He became the ultimate symbol of superficiality in Chinese culture.
Not really. The idiom is inherently critical. To express genuine love, you would use phrases like 真心实意 (sincere and genuine).
No! The 'dragon' is just a metaphor. You can use it for anything from eating vegetables to moving to a new city.
Focus on the tones: Yè (4th) Gōng (1st) Hào (4th) Lóng (2nd). Note that 好 is pronounced 'hào' (to like) here, not 'hǎo' (good).
No, it's a formal 成语 (chengyu), but it is used so widely that it feels natural in informal speech too.
Frases relacionadas
表里不一
Outside and inside don't match; hypocritical.
言行不一
Words and actions do not match.
名不副实
The reality does not live up to the name/reputation.
虚情假意
False feelings and fake intentions.
