绣花枕头 embroidered pillow
Explanation
比喻外表好看，而实际上没有真才实学的人。
A metaphor for someone who looks good on the outside but lacks real talent and ability.
Origin Story
从前，有个书生名叫李秀才，他自诩才华横溢，却屡试不第。一次，他去参加一位老秀才的寿宴。席间，他夸夸其谈，谈古论今，引经据典，听得众人连连称赞。老秀才却一言不发，只是默默地观察着他。宴后，老秀才对李秀才说：“你虽然口若悬河，但缺乏实际才干，就像绣花枕头，好看却中看不中用。”李秀才听后羞愧难当，从此发愤图强，潜心学习，最终考取功名。
Once upon a time, there was a scholar named Li Xiucai, who considered himself talented but repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. One time, he attended the birthday banquet of an old scholar. During the banquet, he spoke eloquently on various topics, quoting classical texts, impressing everyone present. The old scholar, however, remained silent, observing him intently. After the banquet, the old scholar said to Li Xiucai, "While your words flow freely, you lack practical ability. You are like an embroidered pillow—beautiful to look at but ultimately useless."
Usage
用于形容人外表好看，但实际上缺乏真才实学。
Used to describe someone who looks good but actually lacks real talent and ability.
Examples
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他这个人就是个绣花枕头，只会说不会做。
ta zhe ge ren jiushi ge xiuhua zhen tou, zhi hui shuo bu hui zuo
He is just a pretty face, all talk and no action.
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别看他外表光鲜，其实是个绣花枕头，空有其表。
bie kan ta waibiao guangxian, qishi shi ge xiuhua zhen tou, kong you qi biao
Don't be fooled by his outward appearance, he is nothing but an empty vessel, a pretty face that is all show and no go