limited ability; superficial tricks; exhausted capabilities
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the limited tricks of the donkey of Qian; superficial abilities that are soon exhausted
formalDerived from Liu Zongyuan's Tang Dynasty fable "The Donkey of Qian" (《黔之驴》), in which a tiger initially fears a donkey brought to Qian (modern Guizhou), but eventually discovers the donkey's only trick is kicking, and eats it. Used to describe someone or something that appears impressive but actually possesses very limited capabilities or tricks that are quickly exhausted.
Tā他
nà那
xiē些
xià吓
hu唬
rén人
de的
zhāo招
shù数
bù不
guò过
shì是
Qián黔
lǘ驴
zhī之
jì技
，
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
huì会
bèi被
dà大
jiā家
kàn看
chuān穿
。
His intimidating tactics are nothing but superficial tricks that will soon be seen through by everyone.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
kàn看
shì似
qiáng强
dà大
，
shí实
jì际
shàng上
yǐ已
shì是
Qián黔
lǘ驴
zhī之
jì技
，
chēng撑
bù不
liǎo了
duō多
jiǔ久
le了
。
This company appears powerful, but in reality it has exhausted its limited capabilities and won't last much longer.
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Bié别
bèi被
tā他
de的
qì气
shì势
xià吓
dǎo倒
，
nà那
bù不
guò过
shì是
Qián黔
lǘ驴
zhī之
jì技
bà罢
le了
。
Don't be intimidated by his imposing manner; it's nothing but limited tricks.