Proverb / Kotowaza
顰に効う
To blindly imitate others without considering the quality of the action, or to follow someone's lead as a humble gesture.
To imitate a frown
Quick Answer
To blindly imitate others without considering the quality of the action, or to follow someone's lead as a humble gesture.
- Literal Image
- To imitate a frown
- How to Use It
- This proverb is used to criticize thoughtless mimicry or, conversely, as a polite and humble way to state that you are following someone else's example.
Meaning
This expression refers to copying someone's actions without understanding the underlying reason or whether the actions are truly appropriate. It originates from an anecdote where women tried to replicate the beauty of a woman by imitating her pained frown. In modern contexts, it is also used as a humble way to describe following in a predecessor's footsteps or adopting their methods.
Literal Image
To imitate a frown
How to Use It
This proverb is used to criticize thoughtless mimicry or, conversely, as a polite and humble way to state that you are following someone else's example.
Tone
Can be critical when applied to mindless copying by others, but serves as a humble expression when applied to one's own actions.
Examples
成功者のやり方をそのまま真似するのは顰に効うようなもので、うまくいくとは限らない。
Simply imitating a successful person's methods is like 'imitating a frown'; it doesn't necessarily mean it will work.
他社の戦略を安易に模倣するのは顰に効うに等しい。
Easily copying another company's strategy is equivalent to blindly imitating a frown.
顰に効うのではなく、自分なりの方法を見つけることが大切だ。
Instead of just following others' lead, it's important to find your own way.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb contains extremely rare kanji (顰, 効う) and is derived from a classical Chinese anecdote, making it quite advanced.
顰
ひそみ / hisomi
a frown
効う
ならう / narau
to imitate or follow
人真似
ひとまね / hitomane
mimicry or imitating others
Usage Profile
Usage note: Be aware that this can sound very critical when used to describe someone else's lack of originality.
Misread Risk
The word 'imitating' here refers specifically to shallow copying of appearances or outward behavior without internalizing the logic.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.