不伦不类 neither fish nor fowl
Explanation
不伦不类是一个成语,意思是既不属于这一类,也不属于那一类,形容事物不成样子或没有道理。它通常用于讽刺那些不规范、不合理或不协调的事物。
The idiom 'Bu lun bu lei' means not belonging to either category. It describes things that are not in good shape or make no sense. It is often used to satirize things that are not standardized, unreasonable or uncoordinated.
Origin Story
古代有位画家,他画了一幅肖像画,却怎么也画不好。朋友问他:“你怎么画得如此不伦不类?”画家解释道:“我想画得像他,但又怕画得太像,所以就画得不像,结果就画成了现在这个样子。”朋友听完后,忍不住笑了起来,说:“你这不是画肖像画,而是画了一只怪兽啊!” 这段故事告诉我们,做事要遵循规律,不能不伦不类,否则只会适得其反。
There was once a painter in ancient times who was trying to paint a portrait but couldn't get it right. His friend asked him,
Usage
“不伦不类”常用来形容事物不成样子或没有道理,也可以用来讽刺那些不规范、不合理或不协调的事物。例如,我们可以说“这个网站的设计不伦不类,既没有美感,也没有实用性”,来表达对网站设计的批评。
The idiom 'Bu lun bu lei' is often used to describe things that are not in good shape or make no sense. It can also be used to satirize those things that are not standardized, unreasonable or uncoordinated. For example, we can say, 'The design of this website is neither fish nor fowl, it is neither beautiful nor practical', to express our criticism of the website design.
Examples
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他的作品不伦不类,既不像诗歌,也不像散文。
ta de zuo pin bu lun bu lei, ji bu xiang shi ge, ye bu xiang san wen.
His work is neither fish nor fowl, neither poetry nor prose.
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这个网站的设计不伦不类,既没有美感,也没有实用性。
zhe ge wang zhan de she ji bu lun bu lei, ji mei you mei gan, ye mei you shi yong xing.
The design of this website is neither fish nor fowl, it is neither beautiful nor practical.
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他说话不伦不类,让人觉得很别扭。
ta shuo hua bu lun bu lei, rang ren jue de hen bie niu.
He speaks in a way that is neither fish nor fowl, which makes people feel awkward.