人浮于事 too many cooks spoil the broth
Explanation
指工作中人员过多或人多事少，效率低下。
Refers to a situation where there are too many employees for the work available, resulting in low efficiency.
Origin Story
话说汉朝时期，有个叫戴圣的人，他写了一本书叫《礼记》。书里记载了一个故事：从前，有个国家，官员众多，事务却很少。许多官员整天无所事事，领着高薪却干着很少的工作，国家的财政不堪重负。后来，一位英明的君主即位，他进行改革，裁撤冗员，提高效率，国家的面貌焕然一新。这个故事就告诉我们，人浮于事是不好的，会浪费资源，降低效率。
During the Han Dynasty, there was a man named Dai Sheng who wrote a book called "Li Ji." The book contains a story: Once upon a time, there was a country with numerous officials but very little work. Many officials idled away their days, receiving high salaries for minimal work, and the country's finances were overburdened. Later, a wise monarch ascended the throne, implemented reforms, reduced redundancies, increased efficiency, and the country's appearance was completely transformed. This story teaches us that having too many people for the work available is undesirable, as it wastes resources and lowers efficiency.
Usage
形容人员过多，效率低下。
Describes a situation with too many employees and low efficiency.
Examples
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这家公司人浮于事，效率低下。
zhè jiā gōngsī rén fú yú shì, xiào lǜ dī xià.
This company is top-heavy with staff, leading to low efficiency.
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这个部门人浮于事，需要精简人员。
zhège bùmén rén fú yú shì, xūyào jīngjiǎn rényuán.
This department is overstaffed and needs to streamline personnel.
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这次项目人浮于事，浪费了大量资源。
zhè cì xiàngmù rén fú yú shì, làngfèi le dàliàng zīyuán
This project was overstaffed, wasting a lot of resources.