Definition
华而不实 is a four-character idiom (成语) that describes something that looks impressive or attractive on the surface but lacks real value or substance. It's often used to criticize people, products, or ideas that are all show and no substance. The literal meaning is 'flower-like but not fruitful'.
f.e.
flashy but insubstantialsuperficially clever
Examples
- 华而不实，，。Tā de yǎnjiǎng huá ér bù shí, tīng qǐlai hěn dòngtīng, dàn méiyǒu shénme shíjì nèiróng.His speech was flashy but insubstantial — it sounded nice but had no real content.
- 华而不实，。Zhè jiā gōngsī de chǎnpǐn shèjì huá ér bù shí, wàibiǎo hǎokàn dàn zhìliàng hěn chà.This company's product design is flashy but insubstantial — it looks good but the quality is poor.
- 华而不实。Bú yào bèi nàxiē huá ér bù shí de guǎnggào míhuò le.Don't be fooled by those flashy but insubstantial advertisements.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.