借花献佛 jiè huā xiàn fó

use others’ things to gain favor

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. presenting the Buddha with borrowed flowers (idiom); fig. to win favor or influence using sb else's property
  2. 2. plagiarism

Characters

Character Meaning
借 jiè HSK 3
to borrow; to lend; by means of
花 huā HSK 3
to spend (money, time); flower; blossom
献 xiàn HSK 5
to offer; to present; to donate
佛 fó HSK 5
seemingly; (female) head ornament; variant of 彿fú