木偶

• Pinyin: mù ǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 木 = tree/wood (pictograph); 偶 = 人(person) + 禺(paired/linked, phonetic) — a human-shaped paired figure

Meaning

A puppet; a wooden figure manipulated by strings or hands in theatrical performance.

Used literally for puppets in traditional Chinese puppet theatre (木偶戏), and figuratively for a person who is controlled by others and lacks independent will. Common in political and social commentary.

Examples

1. 这场传统木偶戏的演出精彩纷呈，吸引了大批观众驻足欣赏。 This traditional puppet show was a wonderful performance that drew a large crowd to stop and watch.
2. 他在会议上完全照着上级的指示发言，活像一个没有主见的木偶。 At the meeting, he spoke entirely according to his superiors' instructions—like a puppet with no mind of his own.
3. 孩子们被舞台上灵活的木偶表演深深吸引，演出结束后仍不愿离去。 The children were captivated by the nimble puppet performance on stage, and even after it ended, they still didn't want to leave.

Usage Guide

Context: performing arts, figurative/social commentary, children's culture

Tone: neutral/figurative

Do Say

• 木偶戏是中国非物质文化遗产的重要组成部分，具有深厚的历史底蕴。(Puppet theatre is an important component of China's intangible cultural heritage, with a deep historical foundation.)
• 他只不过是上司手中的一个木偶，从未有过真正属于自己的判断与决定。(He is nothing more than a puppet in his superior's hands, never having made a truly independent judgement or decision.)

Don't Say

• 把'木偶'用于描述有主见的人 (木偶 carries a strong connotation of passivity and external control — using it for someone decisive would be contradictory and confusing)

Origin & History

木(wood) + 偶(figure/idol). 偶 originally depicted a paired figure; combined with 木 it denotes a carved wooden figure or doll.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal