画虎类犬 draw a tiger, but it looks like a dog
Explanation
比喻模仿不到家，反而不伦不类。
To describe an imitation that is unsuccessful and instead appears strange and inappropriate.
Origin Story
东汉时期，名将马援十分注重对子侄的教育，希望他们能成为国家的栋梁之才。他曾告诫子侄们，学习应效仿杜季良、龙伯高这样有才能的人，切勿盲目模仿，否则会弄巧成拙，正如画虎不成反类犬一般。他写信给侄子马严和马敦，说明学习的重要性以及学习中应该注意的问题。他以《诫兄子严敦书》为诫，要求他们认真学习历史、经书，成为有学识有才能的人，为国家做出贡献。马援的这封信不仅体现了对子侄的殷切期望，更流传至今，成为后世学习的典范。
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the famous general Ma Yuan placed great emphasis on the education of his nephews and nieces, hoping that they would become pillars of the state. He once cautioned his nephews and nieces to learn from talented individuals like Du Jiliang and Long Bogao, and not to blindly imitate, otherwise they would achieve the opposite of their intention, just like the idiom "drawing a dog that looks like a tiger". He wrote a letter to his nephews Ma Yan and Ma Dun, explaining the importance of learning and the points to pay attention to during the learning process. In his letter "Instruction to Nephews Ma Yan and Ma Dun", he stressed that they should diligently study history and classic texts, becoming knowledgeable and capable individuals to contribute to the country. Ma Yuan's letter not only reflects his high expectations for his nephews and nieces, but also remains a model for future generations.
Usage
形容模仿不到家，结果不伦不类。常用作谓语、定语。
To describe an unsuccessful imitation that results in something inappropriate. Often used as a predicate or attributive.
Examples
-
他的模仿很不到位，简直是画虎类犬。
tā de mófǎng hěn bùdào wèi, jiǎnzhí shì huà hǔ lèi quǎn
His imitation was very poor; it was simply a case of drawing a dog that looks like a tiger.
-
这次的尝试虽然失败了，但也算是一个教训，避免以后画虎类犬。
zhè cì de chángshì suīrán shībài le, dàn yě suàn shì yīgè jiàoxùn, bìmiǎn yǐhòu huà hǔ lèi quǎn
Although this attempt failed, it served as a lesson to avoid such mistakes in the future, so as not to end up 'drawing a dog that resembles a tiger'