依样画葫芦 yī yàng huà hú lu

fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality
  2. 2. lit. to draw a gourd from the model (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
依 yī HSK 5
to depend on; according to; to comply with or listen to sb
样 yàng HSK 1
way; manner; appearance
画 huà HSK 3
to draw; painting; picture
葫 hú
bottle gourd; Allium scorodoprasum
芦 lu
reed; rush; Phragmites communis