ziu3 bun2 syun1 fo1照本宣科
Jyutpingziu3 bun2 syun1 fo1
Yalejiu bún syūn fō
Definition
To read verbatim from a book, or to work mechanically without any flexibility.
- to read verbatim from a text or book
- figurativeto work mechanically; to lack flexibility and originality
neutralworkcommunication
How it's used
Carries a strong critical tone, implying that someone is lazy or lacks the intellectual capacity to think for themselves. It is frequently used in professional or academic settings to criticize presentations or training sessions that lack engagement. Unlike simply saying someone is boring, this specifically highlights a failure to apply knowledge to real world situations.
Examples
He always just reads from a script when he speaks, it's so boring.
Don't just stick rigidly to the manual when you work, you need to know how to adapt.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak in a rote, uninspired manner
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply reading aloud from a book, but it specifically implies a negative, unthinking adherence to a text or rulebook.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
