a monkey wearing a crown; vain show of dignity
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to make a vain attempt to appear dignified; a monkey wearing a crown
derogatoryA derogatory idiom derived from the image of a macaque wearing a hat, used to criticize someone who superficially dresses up or acts dignified but lacks the substance, character, or status implied by their appearance. Highlights the gap between outward appearance and inner reality.
Nà那
xiē些
tān贪
guān官
wū污
lì吏
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
mù沐
hóu猴
ér而
guàn冠
，
gēn根
běn本
bù不
gù顾
bǎi百
xìng姓
sǐ死
huó活
。
Those corrupt officials are merely monkeys wearing crowns, completely disregarding the life and death of the common people.
Tā他
suī虽
shēn身
chuān穿
xī西
zhuāng装
，
què却
jǔ举
zhǐ止
cū粗
sú俗
，
zhēn真
shì是
mù沐
hóu猴
ér而
guàn冠
。
Although he wears a suit, his behavior is vulgar—truly a monkey wearing a crown.
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Zhè这
gè个
bào暴
fā发
hù户
mù沐
hóu猴
ér而
guàn冠
，
zì自
yǐ以
wéi为
yǒu有
shēn身
fèn份
，
qí其
shí实
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
zài在
bèi背
hòu后
cháo嘲
xiào笑
tā他
。
This nouveau riche puts on airs, thinking he has status, but everyone is actually laughing at him behind his back.