red tape; excessive formality
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesnoun
excessive formalities; complicated rules and ceremonies; red tape
formalA four-character idiom (成语) expressing criticism towards overly elaborate and cumbersome formalities, often used in administrative, social, or cultural contexts. The original dictionary entry is an abbreviation; the full idiom and its meaning have been provided.
Zhèng政
fǔ府
yīng应
gāi该
jiǎn简
huà化
bàn办
shì事
liú流
chéng程
，
jiǎn减
shǎo少
bù不
bì必
yào要
de的
fán繁
wén文
rù缛
jié节
。
The government should simplify administrative procedures and reduce unnecessary red tape.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
gǔ古
lǎo老
de的
hūn婚
lǐ礼
chōng充
mǎn满
le了
fán繁
wén文
rù缛
jié节
，
ràng让
nián年
qīng轻
rén人
gǎn感
dào到
hěn很
bù不
zì自
zai在
。
This traditional wedding is full of complicated rituals that make young people feel very uncomfortable.
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Yào要
huò获
dé得
zhè这
ge个
xǔ许
kě可
zhèng证
，
nǐ你
xū需
yào要
jīng经
lì历
dà大
liàng量
de的
fán繁
wén文
rù缛
jié节
。
To obtain this permit, you'll need to go through a lot of bureaucratic red tape.
Xiàn现
dài代
qǐ企
yè业
wén文
huà化
de的
qū趋
shì势
shì是
dǎ打
pò破
fán繁
wén文
rù缛
jié节
，
tí提
gāo高
xiào效
lǜ率
。
The trend in modern corporate culture is to break down excessive formalities and improve efficiency.
Tā他
tǎo讨
yàn厌
shè社
jiāo交
chǎng场
hé合
de的
nà那
xiē些
fán繁
wén文
rù缛
jié节
。
He hates the excessive formalities at social events.