Definition
牵强附会 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning to force a connection or interpretation where none naturally exists — like drawing a strained analogy or twisting evidence to fit a preconceived idea. It's used critically, to call out reasoning that feels unnatural or overreaching. You'll see it in academic or editorial contexts: 这个解释太牵强附会了 ('this explanation is too far-fetched').
f.e.
to draw a forced analogyto give a strained interpretationfar-fetchedcontrived (of reasoning or explanation)
Examples
- 牵强附会，。Tā de guāndiǎn tài qiān qiǎng fù huì le, quēfá shuōfúlì.His viewpoint is too far-fetched and lacks persuasiveness.
- 牵强附会。Zhè zhǒng qiān qiǎng fù huì de jiěshì ràng rén nányǐ jiēshòu.This kind of strained interpretation is hard to accept.
- 牵强附会。Bú yào bǎ liǎng jiàn wúguān de shì qiān qiǎng fù huì de liánxì qǐlái.Don't force a connection between two unrelated things.
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