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指鹿為馬. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
指鹿為馬, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
指鹿為馬 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
指鹿為馬 you have here. The definition of the word
指鹿為馬 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
指鹿為馬, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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finger; to point; to direct finger; to point; to direct; to indicate
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deer
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because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become
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horse; surname
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trad. (指鹿為馬/指鹿爲馬)
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指
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鹿
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為/爲
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馬
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simp. (指鹿为马)
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指
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鹿
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为
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马
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Literally: “to point to a deer and call it a horse”.
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Etymology
First attested in c. 197 BCE in a story in Xinyu:
秦二世之時,趙高駕鹿而從行。
王曰:「丞相何為駕鹿?」
高曰:「馬也。」
王曰:「丞相誤也,以鹿為馬。」
高曰:「陛下以臣言不然,願問群臣。」
臣半言鹿,半言馬。
當此之時,秦王不能自信其目,而從邪臣之說。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
秦二世之时,赵高驾鹿而从行。
王曰:「丞相何为驾鹿?」
高曰:「马也。」
王曰:「丞相误也,以鹿为马。」
高曰:「陛下以臣言不然,愿问群臣。」
臣半言鹿,半言马。
当此之时,秦王不能自信其目,而从邪臣之说。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Lu Jia, Xinyu (A New Discourse), c. 197 BCE
- Qín Èrshì zhī shí, Zhào Gāo jià lù ér cóng xíng.
Wáng yuē: “Chéngxiàng héwéi jià lù?”
Gāo yuē: “Mǎ yě.”
Wáng yuē: “Chéngxiàng wù yě, yǐ lù wéi mǎ.”
Gāo yuē: “Bìxià yǐ chén yán bùrán, yuàn wèn qúnchén.”
Chén bàn yán lù, bàn yán mǎ.
Dāng cǐ zhī shí, Qín wáng bùnéng zìxìn qí mù, ér cóng xié chén zhī shuō. - During emperor Qin Er Shi’s reign, eunuch Zhao Gao rode a deer on an outing with the emperor.
The emperor said: “Gao, why are you riding a deer?”
Gao said: “(It is) a horse.”
The emperor said: “Gao, you are wrong. You are calling a deer a horse.”
Gao said: “Your Majesty, you are dismissing my words. Please ask the ministers for their opinions.”
(When asked,) half of the ministers said it was a deer, and half said it was a horse.
At this moment, the Qin emperor could not be confident with his eyes, and believed the evil minister’s words.
This story was also mentioned in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji). In Shiji, the ministers pointed to the animal as deer in order to please the eunuch Zhao Gao, and Zhao was said to have later retaliated on those who referred to it as a deer.
Pronunciation
Rime
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Character
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指
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鹿
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為
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馬
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Reading #
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1/1
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1/1
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1/2
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1/1
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Initial (聲)
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章 (23)
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來 (37)
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云 (35)
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明 (4)
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Final (韻)
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脂 (17)
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東 (3)
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支 (14)
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麻 (98)
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Tone (調)
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Rising (X)
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Checked (Ø)
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Level (Ø)
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Rising (X)
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Openness (開合)
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Open
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Open
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Closed
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Open
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Division (等)
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III
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I
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III
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II
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Fanqie
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職雉切
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盧谷切
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薳支切
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莫下切
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Baxter
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tsyijX
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luwk
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hjwe
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maeX
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Reconstructions
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Zhengzhang Shangfang
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/t͡ɕˠiɪX/
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/luk̚/
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/ɦˠiuᴇ/
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/mˠaX/
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Pan Wuyun
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/t͡ɕᵚiX/
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/luk̚/
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/ɦʷᵚiɛ/
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/mᵚaX/
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Shao Rongfen
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/t͡ɕiɪX/
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/luk̚/
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/ɣiuɛ/
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/maX/
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Edwin Pulleyblank
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/cjiX/
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/ləwk̚/
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/ɦjwiə̆/
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/maɨX/
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Li Rong
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/t͡ɕjiX/
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/luk̚/
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/ɣjue/
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/maX/
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Wang Li
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/t͡ɕiX/
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/luk̚/
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/ɣǐwe/
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/maX/
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Bernard Karlgren
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/t͡ɕiX/
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/luk̚/
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/wie̯/
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/maX/
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Expected Mandarin Reflex
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zhǐ
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lù
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wéi
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mǎ
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Expected Cantonese Reflex
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zi2
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luk6
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wai4
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maa5
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Idiom
指鹿為馬
- (figurative, derogatory) to be a false witness; to deliberately misinterpret and invert right and wrong
See also