照本宣科 (zhào běn xuān kē) — to follow a script word for word without original input; to speak or act mechanically according to a text

Definition

A chengyu meaning to repeat a text mechanically with no original thought — used critically of lectures, reports, or work that just follows the book. The negative example 做研究不能照本宣科 shows its typical contrast with genuine independent thinking.

verb
to follow a script word for word without original inputto speak or act mechanically according to a text

Examples

  • 照本宣科，。
    Tā jiǎng kè zǒng shì zhào běn xuān kē, méi yǒu yì diǎn zì jǐ de jiàn jiě.
    He always just reads his lectures from the textbook without adding any of his own insights.
  • 照本宣科。
    zhào běn xuān kē De huì bào fāng shì ràng tīng zhòng jué de hěn wú liáo.
    The robotic, script-bound presentation style bored the audience.
  • 照本宣科，。
    Zuò yán jiū bù néng zhào běn xuān kē, bì xū yǒu zì jǐ de sī kǎo.
    You can't do research by just following a script — you have to think for yourself.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
昭
昭zhāo照zhào
Same sound today

照 uses 灬, a bottom form of 火 (fire), plus 昭 for the sound.

Open 照 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

本 adds a stroke at the bottom of a tree shape to mark the roots, giving the sense of foundation or original.

Open 本 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
亘
亘gèn宣xuān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

宣 pairs the roof 宀, pointing to the emperor's main hall, with 亘 as the sound part. From that hall meaning, it came to mean clear or evident.

Open 宣 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斗斗dòumeasuring tool
Sound part声符shēngfú
禾
禾hé科kē
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

科 pairs 禾, which gives the hé sound, with 斗, a measuring tool.

Open 科 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.