獐头鼠目 weasel-faced and rat-eyed
Explanation
形容人相貌丑陋,神情狡猾。獐,一种像鹿的小动物,头小而尖;鼠,老鼠。
Describes someone with an ugly appearance and a cunning expression. 'Zhang' is a small deer-like animal with a small, pointed head; 'Shu' is a mouse.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期,有个名叫李白的书生,他虽才华横溢,但相貌却十分普通,甚至可以用獐头鼠目来形容。一次,他进京赶考,路上遇到一位自称是朝廷官员的男子。这位官员衣着华丽,气度不凡,但眼神却闪烁不定,让人感觉不太可靠。李白心中有所怀疑,但他还是礼貌地与他攀谈起来。途中,这位官员多次暗示李白可以花钱走捷径,获得高官厚禄。李白虽然缺钱,但绝不想走歪门邪道。他正色拒绝了官员的诱惑,坚持以自己的实力争取功名。最终,李白金榜题名,成为一代诗仙。而那位獐头鼠目的官员,却因为贪污受贿而被朝廷查办,受到了应有的惩罚。这个故事告诉我们,无论相貌如何,只要自身品德高尚,坚持走正道,最终都能获得成功。
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a scholar named Li Bai who, despite his brilliant writing, had an unremarkable appearance, even described as "zhāngtóu shǔmù". On a journey to the capital for examinations, he encountered a man claiming to be a government official. This official was elegantly dressed and had a distinguished bearing, yet his eyes flickered uncertainly, making him seem untrustworthy. While Li Bai harbored doubts, he courteously engaged in conversation. Along the way, the official repeatedly hinted at shortcuts to high office and wealth through bribery. Though impoverished, Li Bai refused to resort to dishonesty. He firmly rejected the official's inducements, insisting on achieving success through merit. Ultimately, Li Bai passed the exams with distinction, becoming a renowned poet. The "zhāngtóu shǔmù" official, however, was investigated and punished for bribery and corruption. This story illustrates that regardless of appearance, integrity and adherence to the right path lead to eventual success.
Usage
作谓语、定语;形容人相貌丑陋,神情狡猾。
Predicate, attributive; describes someone with an ugly appearance and a cunning expression.
Examples
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他獐头鼠目,一看就不是好人。
tā zhāngtóushǔmù, yīkàn jiù bùshì hǎorén
He has a weasel-like face and shifty eyes; he doesn't look like a good person.
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那人獐头鼠目,鬼鬼祟祟的,一看就不是什么好人。
nà rén zhāngtóushǔmù, guǐguǐsuìsuì de, yīkàn jiù bùshì shénme hǎorén
That guy looks shifty and sneaky; he's definitely not a good person.