聪明反被聪明误 in English cong1 ming2 fan3 bei4 cong1 ming2 wu4 Meaning

Meanings

  • a clever person may become the victim of his own ingenuity (idiomatic expression); cleverness may overreach itself
  • too smart for one's own good

Simplified Characters

聪 明 反 被 聪 明 误

Traditional Characters

聰 明 反 被 聰 明 誤

Pinyin

cong1 ming2 fan3 bei4 cong1 ming2 wu4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

聪cong1quick at hearing 明ming2Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) 反fan3contrary 被bei4quilt 聪cong1quick at hearing 明ming2Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) 误wu4mistake