HSK · Level 104
45 words
Chinese word
出洋相
Pronunciation
Pinyinchū yáng xiàng
Meaning
- verbmake a fool of oneself
Example
别在会议上出洋相。bié zài huì yì shàng chū yáng xiàng
Don't make a fool of yourself at the meeting.
More examples
他因为紧张在演讲中出洋相，忘了要说的重点。tā yīn wèi jǐn zhāng zài yán jiǎng zhōng chū yáng xiàng wàng le yào shuō de zhòng diǎn
He made a fool of himself during the speech because he was nervous and forgot the key points he needed to say.
Core concept
An awkward act put on display until the performer becomes a source of amusement.
Common phrases
当众出洋相dāng zhòng chū yáng xiàng
make a fool of oneself in public
当场出洋相dāng chǎng chū yáng xiàng
make a fool of oneself on the spot
在公众场合出洋相zài gōng zhòng chǎng hé chū yáng xiàng
make a fool of oneself in public
Similar words
出丑chū chǒu: Embarrass oneself in public through a mistake, failure, or wrong action.
出糗chū qiǔ: Look foolish and become a target of laughter because of a mistake or odd action.
丢人diū rén: Bring shame on oneself by acting in a way that damages one's standing.
丢脸diū liǎn: Lose face by doing something shameful in front of other people.
Definition in Chinese
在公众场合做出使自己丢脸、让人取笑的举动或表现。zài gōng zhòng chǎng hé zuò chū shǐ zì jǐ diū liǎn ràng rén qǔ xiào de jǔ dòng huò biǎo xiàn
Word origin
The expression 出洋相 (chūyángxiàng, "make a fool of oneself") turns the idea of a ridiculous appearance being put on display into a verb for public embarrassment.
Usage tips
- It can describe an innocent social misstep, not only attention-seeking behavior; the focus is how the scene looks to onlookers rather than the person's intention.
Other meanings
- make a spectacle of oneselfverb
Related words
- 洋相yáng xiàngembarrassing spectaclenoun