Lord Ye loves dragons

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 9 About 16 minutes

叶公好龙

Yègōnghàolóng

Story

，，，。
Chūnqiū shíqī, yǒu yí wèi jiào Zǐzhāng de dúshūrén, tīngshuō Lǔguó de guójūn Lǔ Āigōng fēicháng zhòngshì réncái, jiù bùyuǎnqiānlǐ gǎn qù qiújiàn.
In the Spring and Autumn period a scholar called Zizhang heard that Duke Ai, ruler of Lu, greatly valued talented people, so he travelled a thousand li to seek an audience.
Words in this sentence
春秋 Chūnqiū
the Spring and Autumn period Dictionary
时期 shíqī
period Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
叫 jiào
to be called; to call Dictionary
子张 Zǐzhāng
Zizhang (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
读书人 dúshūrén
scholar Dictionary
听说 tīngshuō
to hear (that) Dictionary
鲁国 Lǔguó
the State of Lu Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
国君 guójūn
ruler Dictionary
鲁哀公 Lǔ Āigōng
Duke Ai of Lu (name)
非常 fēicháng
extremely Dictionary
重视 zhòngshì
to value Dictionary
人才 réncái
talented people Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
不远千里 bùyuǎnqiānlǐ
to travel a great distance Dictionary
赶 gǎn
to drive away Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
求见 qiújiàn
to seek an audience
，。
tā zài gōngmén wài děng le qī tiān, Lǔ Āigōng què yìzhí méiyǒu jiējiàn tā.
He waited outside the palace gate for seven days, yet Duke Ai never received him.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
宫门 gōngmén
palace gate
外 wài
outside Dictionary
等 děng
to wait (for) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
七 qī
seven Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
鲁哀公 Lǔ Āigōng
Duke Ai of Lu (name)
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
一直 yìzhí
all along, always Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
接见 jiējiàn
to receive (a visitor) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
，。
Zǐzhāng xīnli míngbai le, línzǒu qián tuō rén gěi Lǔ Āigōng dài qù le yí gè gùshi.
Zizhang understood, and before leaving he had someone carry a story to the duke.
Words in this sentence
子张 Zǐzhāng
Zizhang (name)
心里 xīnli
in one's heart Dictionary
明白 míngbai
clear (看个明白: find out for oneself) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
临走 línzǒu
before leaving Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
托 tuō
to ask (someone to do something) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
鲁哀公 Lǔ Āigōng
Duke Ai of Lu (name)
带 dài
to take (someone), to bring Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
，。
cóngqián Chǔguó yǒu yí wèi Yègōng, kǒukoushēngshēng shuō zìjǐ zuì xǐhuan lóng.
Once in the state of Chu there was a Lord Ye who was forever saying that he loved dragons more than anything.
Words in this sentence
从前 cóngqián
once upon a time Dictionary
楚国 Chǔguó
the State of Chu Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
口口声声 kǒukoushēngshēng
to keep saying Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
最 zuì
most Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
、，，、，，。
tā jiā de liáng shàng, zhùzi shàng kè zhe lóng, qiáng shàng huà zhe lóng, jiǔbēi shàng, yīfu shàng yě xiù mǎn le lóng, zhěng gè fǔ lǐ, táitóu dītóu dōu néng kànjiàn lóng.
Dragons were carved on the beams and pillars of his house and painted on the walls; his wine cups and clothes were embroidered with them, and everywhere in his mansion, looking up or down, you saw dragons.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
梁 liáng
beam Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
柱子 zhùzi
pillar Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
刻 kè
moment Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
墙 qiáng
wall Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
画 huà
to draw Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
酒杯 jiǔbēi
wine cup Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
衣服 yīfu
clothes Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
绣 xiù
to embroider Dictionary
满 mǎn
full Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
整 zhěng
whole, entire Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
府 fǔ
mansion Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
抬头 táitóu
to look up Dictionary
低头 dītóu
to look down Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
看见 kànjiàn
to see Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
，。
Yègōng ài lóng de míngshēng yuè chuán yuè yuǎn, zuìhòu lián tiān shàng de zhēnlóng dōu tīngshuō le.
The fame of Lord Ye's love of dragons spread ever further, until even a real dragon in heaven heard of it.
Words in this sentence
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
爱 ài
to love Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
名声 míngshēng
reputation, fame Dictionary
越 yuè
(越……越……: the more … the more) Dictionary
传 chuán
to spread Dictionary
越 yuè
(越……越……: the more … the more) Dictionary
远 yuǎn
far Dictionary
最后 zuìhòu
in the end, finally Dictionary
连 lián
even (连……都……) Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
真龙 zhēnlóng
real dragon
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
听说 tīngshuō
to hear (that) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
：“！。”
zhēnlóng shífēn gǎndòng:“ rénjiān jìngrán yǒu zhème dǒng wǒ de zhīyīn! wǒ yídìng yào qù kànkan tā.”
The real dragon was deeply moved: "To think there is someone among humans who understands me so well! I must go and see him."
Words in this sentence
真龙 zhēnlóng
real dragon
十分 shífēn
very Dictionary
感动 gǎndòng
moved, touched Dictionary
人间 rénjiān
the world of the living Dictionary
竟然 jìngrán
unexpectedly, actually Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
这么 zhème
so, this Dictionary
懂 dǒng
to understand Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
知音 zhīyīn
kindred spirit Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
一定 yídìng
definitely Dictionary
要 yào
to need to, to be going to; to want Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
看看 kànkan
to have a look Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
，，。
yúshì tā cóng tiān shàng fēi xiàlai, bǎ tóu cóng chuānghu shēn jìn Yègōng de shūfáng, wěiba hái tuō zài kètīng lǐ.
So it flew down from the sky and poked its head through the window of Lord Ye's study, with its tail still trailing in the hall.
Words in this sentence
于是 yúshì
so, thereupon Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
飞 fēi
to fly Dictionary
下来 xiàlai
down (becoming) Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
头 tóu
head Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
窗户 chuānghu
window Dictionary
伸 shēn
to stretch out Dictionary
进 jìn
into; to enter Dictionary
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
书房 shūfáng
study Dictionary
尾巴 wěiba
tail Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
拖 tuō
to trail Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
客厅 kètīng
hall, living room Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
，，，。
Yègōng yì táitóu, kànjiàn yì tiáo huóshēngshēng de lóng zhèng duìzhe zìjǐ zhǎ yǎnjing, xià de liǎnsè fābái, hún dōu fēi le.
Lord Ye looked up, saw a living dragon blinking at him, turned white with fright and nearly jumped out of his skin.
Words in this sentence
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
抬头 táitóu
to look up Dictionary
看见 kànjiàn
to see Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
活生生 huóshēngshēng
living, real Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
正 zhèng
just (正……着: just as) Dictionary
对着 duìzhe
facing
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
眨 zhǎ
to blink Dictionary
眼睛 yǎnjing
eye(s) Dictionary
吓 xià
to frighten (吓了一跳: got a fright) Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
脸色 liǎnsè
complexion Dictionary
发白 fābái
to turn white Dictionary
魂 hún
soul Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
飞 fēi
to fly Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，。
tā rēng xià shǒu lǐ de shū, lián xiézi dōu láibují chuān, tóu yě bù huí de táo chū le jiāmén.
He threw down his book and, without even stopping to put on his shoes, fled out of the house without looking back.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
扔 rēng
to throw away Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
手 shǒu
hand Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
书 shū
book Dictionary
连 lián
even (连……都……) Dictionary
鞋子 xiézi
shoes Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
来不及 láibují
there is not enough time Dictionary
穿 chuān
to wear Dictionary
头 tóu
head Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
回 huí
to return, to go back Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
逃 táo
to escape Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
家门 jiāmén
the door of one's home Dictionary
，：？？
zhēnlóng lèng zài nàli, mòmíngqímiào: tā bú shì zuì xǐhuan lóng ma? zěnme jiàn le wǒ fǎndào pǎo le?
The real dragon stood there, baffled: didn't he love dragons most of all? Why did he run away on seeing me?
Words in this sentence
真龙 zhēnlóng
real dragon
愣 lèng
to be stunned Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
那里 nàli
there Dictionary
莫名其妙 mòmíngqímiào
baffled Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
最 zuì
most Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
吗 ma
(question particle) Dictionary
怎么 zěnme
how Dictionary
见 jiàn
to see, to meet Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
反倒 fǎndào
instead, on the contrary Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，、，、“”。
yuánlái, Yègōng xǐhuan de, zhǐshì huà shàng de lóng, kè chūlai de lóng, shì bú huì dòng, bú huì ràng tā hàipà de“ lóng”.
It turned out that what Lord Ye loved were only painted and carved dragons—"dragons" that didn't move and couldn't frighten him.
Words in this sentence
原来 yuánlái
so it turns out Dictionary
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
只是 zhǐshì
merely, just Dictionary
画 huà
to draw Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
刻 kè
moment Dictionary
出来 chūlai
to come out Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
动 dòng
to move Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
害怕 hàipà
afraid Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
：“，，，。”
Zǐzhāng zài gùshi zuìhòu xiě dào:“ nín suǒwèi de xǐhuan réncái, jiù xiàng Yègōng xǐhuan lóng yíyàng, xǐhuan de bú shì réncái, érshì xiàng réncái de dōngxi.”
At the end of the story Zizhang wrote: "Your so-called love of talent is like Lord Ye's love of dragons: what you love is not talent but things that look like talent."
Words in this sentence
子张 Zǐzhāng
Zizhang (name)
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
最后 zuìhòu
in the end, finally Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
道 dào
(measure word for a rainbow, a line) Dictionary
您 nín
you (polite) Dictionary
所谓 suǒwèi
so-called, what is called Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
人才 réncái
talented people Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
一样 yíyàng
the same Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
人才 réncái
talented people Dictionary
而是 érshì
but (不是……而是……) Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
人才 réncái
talented people Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
东西 dōngxi
thing(s) Dictionary
，，。
Lǔ Āigōng dú wán, jùshuō shífēn cánkuì, kě Zǐzhāng zǎoyǐ líkāi le Lǔguó.
It is said that when Duke Ai read it he was deeply ashamed, but Zizhang had long since left Lu.
Words in this sentence
鲁哀公 Lǔ Āigōng
Duke Ai of Lu (name)
读 dú
to study (for a degree); to read Dictionary
完 wán
finished Dictionary
据说 jùshuō
it is said Dictionary
十分 shífēn
very Dictionary
惭愧 cánkuì
ashamed Dictionary
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
子张 Zǐzhāng
Zizhang (name)
早已 zǎoyǐ
long since, already Dictionary
离开 líkāi
to leave Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
鲁国 Lǔguó
the State of Lu Dictionary
，“”，，，。
hòulái,“ yègōnghàolóng” chéng le yí gè chángyòng de chéngyǔ, bǐyù biǎomiànshang àihào mǒu zhǒng dōngxi, shíjìshang bìng bù zhēn de xǐhuan, shènzhì hàipà tā.
Later "Lord Ye loves dragons" became a common idiom for someone who seems to love something but in fact doesn't really like it, and may even fear it.
Words in this sentence
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
叶公好龙 yègōnghàolóng
Lord Ye loves dragons (professed love that fears the real thing) Dictionary
成 chéng
to become; to succeed Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
常用 chángyòng
common Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
成语 chéngyǔ
idiom Dictionary
比喻 bǐyù
to describe figuratively Dictionary
表面上 biǎomiànshang
on the surface Dictionary
爱好 àihào
to love, to be keen on Dictionary
某 mǒu
a certain Dictionary
种 zhǒng
kind, type Dictionary
东西 dōngxi
thing(s) Dictionary
实际上 shíjìshang
in reality Dictionary
并 bìng
(stresses a negative) Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
真 zhēn
real, true Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
甚至 shènzhì
even Dictionary
害怕 hàipà
afraid Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
。，“”，，。
zhè gè chéngyǔ zài jīntiān yě hěn yǒuyòng. bǐrú, yǒu de gōngsī tiāntiān hǎn“ huānyíng chuàngxīn”, kě yuángōng zhēn tíchū yí gè xīn xiǎngfǎ, lǐngdǎo què shuō fēngxiǎn tài dà.
The idiom is still very useful today. For example, some companies proclaim "We welcome innovation" every day, but when an employee actually proposes a new idea, management says it's too risky.
Words in this sentence
这 zhè
this Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
成语 chéngyǔ
idiom Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
今天 jīntiān
today Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
很 hěn
very Dictionary
有用 yǒuyòng
useful Dictionary
比如 bǐrú
for example Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
公司 gōngsī
company, office Dictionary
天天 tiāntiān
every day Dictionary
喊 hǎn
to shout Dictionary
欢迎 huānyíng
to welcome, popular Dictionary
创新 chuàngxīn
innovation Dictionary
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
员工 yuángōng
staff Dictionary
真 zhēn
real, true Dictionary
提出 tíchū
to put forward Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
新 xīn
new Dictionary
想法 xiǎngfǎ
idea Dictionary
领导 lǐngdǎo
management, leader Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
风险 fēngxiǎn
risk Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
，；，。
yǒu de rén shuō zìjǐ rè'ài dàzìrán, què shòubuliǎo yì zhī wénzi; yǒu de rén shuō xiǎng xué wàiyǔ, què cónglái bù gǎn kāikǒu gēn wàiguórén shuōhuà.
Some people say they love nature but can't stand a single mosquito; others say they want to learn a foreign language but never dare to speak to a foreigner.
Words in this sentence
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
热爱 rè'ài
to love Dictionary
大自然 dàzìrán
nature Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
受不了 shòubuliǎo
can't stand Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
只 zhī
(measure word for animals and some objects) Dictionary
蚊子 wénzi
mosquito Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
学 xué
to study, to learn Dictionary
外语 wàiyǔ
foreign language Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
从来 cónglái
ever (从来不: never) Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
敢 gǎn
to dare Dictionary
开口 kāikǒu
to open one's mouth, to speak Dictionary
跟 gēn
with; as Dictionary
外国人 wàiguórén
foreigner Dictionary
说话 shuōhuà
to speak, to talk Dictionary
，，，，。
Zǐzhāng de gùshi zhīsuǒyǐ liúchuán le liǎngqiān duō nián, shì yīnwèi zhēnzhèng de réncái jiù xiàng zhēnzhèng de lóng, yǒu zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ, yě huì shuō ràng rén bù shūfu de huà, xǐhuan tāmen bìng bù róngyì.
Zizhang's story has lasted two thousand years because real talent is like a real dragon: it has ideas of its own and says things people find uncomfortable, and loving it is not easy.
Words in this sentence
子张 Zǐzhāng
Zizhang (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
之所以 zhīsuǒyǐ
the reason why Dictionary
流传 liúchuán
to be handed down Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
两千 liǎngqiān
two thousand
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
因为 yīnwèi
because Dictionary
真正 zhēnzhèng
truly Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人才 réncái
talented people Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
真正 zhēnzhèng
truly Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
想法 xiǎngfǎ
idea Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
舒服 shūfu
comfortable, well Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
话 huà
words, what is said Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
他们 tāmen
they, them Dictionary
并 bìng
(stresses a negative) Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
容易 róngyì
easy Dictionary
，“”。，，，。
liǎngqiān duō nián guòqu le, wǒmen shēnbiān de“ Yègōng” yìdiǎnr yě bù shǎo. yěxǔ, zhēnzhèng de xǐhuan, jiùshì zài tā cóng huà lǐ zǒu chūlai de nà yíkè, réngrán bù táo.
More than two thousand years on, there are just as many "Lord Yes" around us. Perhaps real love means not running away at the moment the thing steps out of the painting.
Words in this sentence
两千 liǎngqiān
two thousand
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
过去 guòqu
to pass, to go by Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
我们 wǒmen
we, us Dictionary
身边 shēnbiān
at one's side Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
叶公 Yègōng
Lord Ye (name)
一点儿 yìdiǎnr
a little Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
少 shǎo
few, little Dictionary
也许 yěxǔ
perhaps Dictionary
真正 zhēnzhèng
truly Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
喜欢 xǐhuan
to like Dictionary
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
画 huà
to draw Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
走 zǒu
to walk, to go; to leave Dictionary
出来 chūlai
to come out Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
一刻 yíkè
moment
仍然 réngrán
still Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
逃 táo
to escape Dictionary

Grammar focus

所谓 "so-called, what is called"
表面上……实际上…… "on the surface …, in reality …"

Vocabulary

重视zhòngshìto value Dictionary
口口声声kǒukoushēngshēngto keep saying Dictionary
名声míngshēngreputation, fame Dictionary
惭愧cánkuìashamed Dictionary
创新chuàngxīninnovation Dictionary
风险fēngxiǎnrisk Dictionary

Questions

Writing task

写一个你身边“叶公好龙”的例子，也可以是你自己。

Xiě yí gè nǐ shēnbiān "yègōnghàolóng" de lìzi, yě kěyǐ shì nǐ zìjǐ.

Write an example of 叶公好龙 from your own life—it can be about yourself.

Tips

表面上……实际上…… exposes the gap between words and deeds.

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

我表面上很喜欢运动，买了跑鞋、运动手表，还办了健身卡。实际上，我一年只去了三次健身房，说我是叶公好龙一点儿也不冤枉。

Wǒ biǎomiànshang hěn xǐhuan yùndòng, mǎi le pǎoxié, yùndòng shǒubiǎo, hái bàn le jiànshēnkǎ. Shíjìshang, wǒ yì nián zhǐ qù le sān cì jiànshēnfáng, shuō wǒ shì yègōnghàolóng yìdiǎnr yě bù yuānwang.

On the surface I love sport: I bought running shoes and a sports watch and got a gym card. In reality I went to the gym three times in a year, so calling me a Lord Ye is no injustice at all.

About the HSK 7–9 band