画蛇添足

• Pinyin: huà shé tiān zú
• Desglose de hanzi: 画 = draw; 蛇 = 虫 + 也 (snake); 添 = 氵+ 忝 (add); 足 = 口 + 止 (foot)

Significado

Echarlo a perder por añadir de más; pasarse con adornos innecesarios.

Used to criticize overcomplication, excessive additions, or actions that detract from an otherwise complete result. Based on a Warring States fable where a man drew feet on a snake and lost a bet.

Ejemplos

1. 这首歌本已完美，多加一段间奏反而画蛇添足，破坏了整体感。
2. 他的设计方案简洁精到，再增加装饰不免画蛇添足。
3. 对于已经表达清楚的观点，过多解释只会画蛇添足。

Guía de uso

Contexto: writing, design, criticism, advice

Tono: critical

Correcto

• 这份报告已经很完整了，再加内容就是画蛇添足。(This report is already very complete — adding more content would be overdoing it.)
• 删掉最后两段反而更简洁有力，留着只是画蛇添足。(Removing the last two paragraphs actually makes it more concise and powerful — keeping them is superfluous.)

Incorrecto

• 画蛇添足 to praise careful attention to detail — it is always negative, describing an action that worsens or complicates an otherwise complete result

Origen e historia

画蛇 (draw a snake) + 添足 (add feet) — from a Warring States fable where a man drew feet on a snake and lost a wine-drinking competition

Contexto cultural

Época: Warring States period (475–221 BCE)

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal