惺惺作态 Sanctimonious posturing
Explanation
形容虚伪做作，故作姿态。
Describes hypocrisy and artificial, affected posture.
Origin Story
从前，有个名叫阿强的年轻人，他总是喜欢在别人面前故作姿态，装出一副很有学问的样子。他读过几本书，就觉得自己比别人高明，常常在人前夸夸其谈，摆弄一些华丽的辞藻，吸引别人的注意。一次，他参加一个学术研讨会，遇到一位真正的专家，这位专家学识渊博，谈吐自然，从容不迫。阿强看到专家风度翩翩，心里很不是滋味，他觉得自己惺惺作态的表演显得多么可笑，多么低级。从那以后，阿强开始认真学习，努力提高自己的学识，不再惺惺作态了。
Once upon a time, there was a young man named Aqiang who always liked to put on airs and act as if he were very knowledgeable in front of others. After reading a few books, he thought that he was more knowledgeable than others, and often talked boastfully in front of others, using ornate language to attract attention. Once, he participated in an academic symposium and met a real expert. This expert was very knowledgeable and spoke naturally and calmly. Aqiang felt very uncomfortable seeing the expert's graceful demeanor. He felt how ridiculous and how low his own sanctimonious performance was. Since then, Aqiang began to study seriously and work hard to improve his knowledge. He stopped putting on airs.
Usage
用来形容虚伪做作，故作姿态。
Used to describe hypocrisy and artificial, affected postures.
Examples
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他总是惺惺作态，让人觉得很不舒服。
ta zong shi xing xing zuo tai, rang ren jue de hen bu shu fu.
He always acts so sanctimoniously, making people feel very uncomfortable.
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别看他表面上惺惺作态，其实心里坏得很。
bie kan ta biao mian shang xing xing zuo tai, qishi xin li huai de hen.
Don't look at his sanctimonious appearance, in fact, he is very bad at heart.