鹦哥娇

鸚哥嬌

yīnggējiāo

idiom

Meanings

1 the 'pretty parrot' style: calligraphy or writing that is charming but immature
2 the surface polish of a learner who can only parrot a few phrases

Characters

(suffix, as in 鹦哥 'parrot')

charming, delicate

Examples

他的字还停留在鹦哥娇的阶段，模仿得像，底子不深。

Tā de zì hái tíngliú zài yīnggējiāo de jiēduàn, mófǎng de xiàng, dǐzi bù shēn.

His calligraphy is still at the 'pretty parrot' stage — the imitation looks good, but there's no depth behind it.

光练几个熟字就到处写，不过是鹦哥娇罢了。

Guāng liàn jǐ gè shúzì jiù dàochù xiě, bùguò shì yīnggējiāo bàle.

Practicing just a handful of familiar characters and showing them off everywhere — that's nothing more than 'pretty parroting.'

Tips

history

Literary term for calligraphy or any art where the student can only copy a few showy phrases — like a parrot (鹦哥) that knows just enough to charm. A gentle put-down of superficial skill.

Stroke Order

鹦 yīng

哥 gē

娇 jiāo