Meanings of 出洋相
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Podcast: 出洋相
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AI study notes for 出洋相
出糗 (chūqiǔ) — use 出洋相 when emphasizing public embarrassment, while 出糗 can refer to any embarrassing moment, not necessarily in public.
This phrase is informal and is often used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone; the expression can carry a humorous or slightly derogatory connotation depending on the context. Common collocations include '他出洋相' (he made a fool of himself) or '别出洋相了' (don't embarrass yourself).
Although not part of the official HSK vocabulary, this phrase is useful for conversational fluency. Students at HSK 3 or 4 can benefit from understanding idioms and their contexts, as it enhances their ability to express complex ideas succinctly.
Learners often confuse 出洋相 with other expressions of embarrassment, such as 出丑 (chū chǒu), which means to show one's shortcomings. For example, saying '他出洋相了' when referring to a minor mistake might be too strong; it's better reserved for more significant embarrassments.
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Component characters
How to say to make a fool of oneself in Chinese
“to make a fool of oneself” in Chinese is出洋相
The phrase 出洋相 (chū yáng xiàng) means to make a fool of oneself or to embarrass oneself in public. It is often used in contexts where someone's actions or statements are perceived as foolish or ridiculous, typically in front of others.
When to use 出洋相
This phrase is informal and is often used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone; the expression can carry a humorous or slightly derogatory connotation depending on the context. Common collocations include '他出洋相' (he made a fool of himself) or '别出洋相了' (don't embarrass yourself).
出洋相 or something close to it
出糗 (chūqiǔ) — use 出洋相 when emphasizing public embarrassment, while 出糗 can refer to any embarrassing moment, not necessarily in public.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 出洋相 with other expressions of embarrassment, such as 出丑 (chū chǒu), which means to show one's shortcomings. For example, saying '他出洋相了' when referring to a minor mistake might be too strong; it's better reserved for more significant embarrassments.
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Frequently asked questions about 出洋相
Yes, 出洋相 is typically used to highlight embarrassment or foolishness, so it carries a negative connotation.
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