虛與委蛇

Chinese

 
devoid of content; void; false; empty; vain
 
and; to give; together with; take part in; (interrog. part.)
calm and contented; leisurely; graceful
trad. (虛與委蛇) 委蛇
simp. (虚与委蛇) 委蛇

Etymology

From the book Zhuangzi:

委蛇 [Classical Chinese, trad.][▼ expand/hide]
委蛇 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE
Xiāng wú shì zhī yǐ wèi shǐ chū wú zōng, wú yǔ zhī ér wěiyí. [Pinyin]
I was showing him myself after the pattern of what was before I began to come from my author. I confronted him with pure vacancy, and an easy indifference.

Pronunciation


Idiom

虛與委蛇

  1. pretense at complying; sham gestures of politeness
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