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自作聪明

zì zuò cōng míngdictionary entry
DEFINITION CC-CEDICT
(idiom) to think oneself clever
Sources & editorial notes

Reference definitions: CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source release 2026-10-27T01:55:52Z. Imported 2026-10-27. Definition wording and meaning order are retained. Recognized pronunciation references are displayed with tone marks; the original source record is available below.

Source record: cd-d4bbc611acd7c6f0. Source SHA-256: bbc4b27f26bee1a262f4d7939667a040c7857c7fc0200a2fa7a86d3352a09eae.

Original source entry:

自作聰明 自作聪明 [zi4 zuo4 cong1 ming2] /(idiom) to think oneself clever/

Reference definitions and teaching material have separate provenance.

Reference information

The definitions above are from CC-CEDICT. Examples and usage notes are available on selected entries.

Character information

View the individual characters. Their meanings do not necessarily explain the meaning of the whole word.

Other forms in these source records: 自作聰明

  • 自
    zì

    (bound form) self / oneself / from / since / naturally / as a matter of course

  • 作
    zuō

    (bound form) worker / (bound form) workshop / (slang) troublesome / high-maintenance (person)

    zuò

    to do / to engage in / to write / to compose / to pretend / to feign / to regard as / to consider to be / to be / to act the part of / to feel (itchy, nauseous etc) / writings / works

  • 聪
    cōng

    (literary) acute (of hearing) / (bound form) clever / intelligent / sharp

  • 明
    míng

    bright / opposite: dark 暗[àn] / (of meaning) clear / to understand / next / public or open / wise / generic term for a sacrifice to the gods

    Míng

    Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) / surname Ming / Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[Shén nóng] Farmer God

Reference definitions from CC-CEDICT.