繁文缛节

繁文縟節

fánwénrùjié

idiom #25,646

Meanings

1 unnecessary formalities
2 excessive red tape
3 overelaborate etiquette

Characters

complex; numerous; elaborate

writing; rites; formalities

ornate; fussy; overly detailed

festival; detail; ritual; rule

Examples

政府要精简行政，减少繁文缛节。

Zhèngfǔ yào jīngjiǎn xíngzhèng, jiǎnshǎo fánwén rùjié.

The government should streamline administration and reduce red tape.

他讨厌繁文缛节，喜欢直接了当地处理问题。

Tā tǎoyàn fánwén rùjié, xǐhuān zhíjiē liǎodàng de chǔlǐ wèntí.

He dislikes unnecessary formalities and prefers to deal with issues straightforwardly.

古代宫廷礼仪充满了繁文缛节。

Gǔdài gōngtíng lǐyí chōngmǎn le fánwén rùjié.

Ancient court etiquette was full of excessive and elaborate formalities.

Tips

memory

繁 (elaborate) + 文 (text/rites) + 缛 (ornate/fussy) + 节 (details/rules) — overly elaborate rules and formalities. Think of mountains of paperwork and pointless ceremonies.

Stroke Order

繁 fán

文 wén

缛 rù

节 jié