滥竽充数làn yú chōng shùto make up the numbers with inferior products

1. 1.

   to make up the numbers with inferior productsidiom

2. 2.

   to masquerade as having an abilityidiom

3. 3.

   token member of a groupidiom

Figurative meaning

To make up the numbers with inferior products; to masquerade as having an ability; token member of a group.

Literal meaning

To play the yu 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers.

• 滥indiscriminate
• 竽free reed wind instrument similar to the sheng 笙[sheng1], used in ancient China
• 充to fill
• 数number; figure

The story

Master Nanguo asked to play the yu for King Xuan. The king was pleased with him and fed him along with several hundred other players.

滥竽充数 can describe a person or thing that only fills a place; people also use it modestly about themselves.

1. HSK 5

   他根本不会唱歌，只是在里面滥竽充数。

   Tā gēnběn bú huì chànggē, zhǐshì zài lǐmiàn làn yú chōng shù.

   He can't sing at all; he's just in there to make up the numbers.

2. HSK 4

   这些东西质量不好，只是用来滥竽充数的。

   Zhèxiē dōngxi zhìliàng bù hǎo, zhǐshì yònglái làn yú chōng shù de.

   These goods are poor quality; they're only there to make up the numbers.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   你也在这个乐队里吗？

   Nǐ yě zài zhège yuèduì lǐ ma?

   Are you in this band too?

2. 
   Speaker B:

   是的，可是我唱得不好。

   Shì de, kěshì wǒ chàng de bù hǎo.

   Yes, but I don't sing well.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   那你为什么去？

   Nà nǐ wèishénme qù?

   Then why do you go?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   他们人不够，我只是滥竽充数。

   Tāmen rén bú gòu, wǒ zhǐshì làn yú chōng shù.

   They don't have enough people; I'm just making up the numbers.

1. 1.What does 滥竽充数 mean?

   ATo make up the numbers without real abilityBTo play music very wellCTo count numbers carefully
2. 2.Which sentence uses 滥竽充数 correctly?

   A他不会唱歌，只是滥竽充数。B今天的天气很滥竽充数。C我滥竽充数地走路。
3. 3.Which word fits best? 他什么都不会，在公司里只是____。 (He can't do anything; at the company he just makes up the numbers.)

   A滥竽充数B守株待兔C完璧归赵

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