越俎代庖 (yuè zǔ dài páo) — to overstep one's role and meddle in another's affairs; to do what is not one's job

Definition

A classical chengyu meaning to overstep one's role and meddle in someone else's job. Carries a strong negative judgment — the meddler is overreaching, not just helping. Used in formal or written contexts.

idiom
to overstep one's role and meddle in another's affairsto do what is not one's job

Examples

  • ，越俎代庖。
    Zhè jiàn shì yǒu zhuān rén fù zé, wǒ men bú yào yuè zǔ dài páo.
    This matter has a designated person in charge; we shouldn't overstep and meddle.
  • ，越俎代庖。
    Tā zǒng xiǎng chā shǒu bié rén de gōng zuò, zhè zhǒng yuè zǔ dài páo de xíng wéi ràng rén fǎn gǎn.
    He always wants to meddle in other people's work; this kind of overstepping behavior is off-putting.
  • ，，越俎代庖。
    Zuò wéi gù wèn, wǒ zhī tí gōng jiàn yì, bú huì yuè zǔ dài páo qù zhí xíng jù tǐ rèn wu.
    As a consultant, I only offer advice; I won't overstep and carry out specific tasks.

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
走走zǒuto walk or run
Sound part声符shēngfú
戉
戉yuè越yuè
Same sound today

越 is built from 走 (to walk or run) and 戉 (which supplies the sound); the 走 part shows the idea of going over or crossing.

Open 越 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

俎 pictures a meat altar: its legs appear on the left and the vessel on the right.

Open 俎 →

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
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì代dài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 代, 亻 shows a person, and 弋 gives the sound.

Open 代 →

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
广广guǎnghouse
Sound part声符shēngfú
包
包bāo庖páo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape of 庖 uses 广 for a house and 包 for the sound.

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