# 穿凿附会

chuān záo fù huì

Force unrelated details into an explanation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Chisel connections and attach interpretations

**Traditional Chinese:** 穿鑿附會

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize far-fetched readings unsupported by evidence.

Interpretation can be creative without necessarily being forced.

## Understanding the expression

The image suggests carving an artificial connection where none naturally fits. The expression criticizes arguments that tie unrelated details together to support a preferred conclusion. It appears in literary interpretation, historical claims, and rumor analysis. A surprising interpretation is not automatically wrong; evidence and context determine whether the connection is persuasive. The problem arises when the explanation depends on strained associations while ignoring simpler readings or contradictory facts already available.

## Examples

把每个颜色都说成暗号，未免穿凿附会。

### Traditional Chinese

把每個顏色都說成暗號，未免穿鑿附會。

bǎ měi gè yán sè dōu shuō chéng àn hào ， wèi miǎn chuān záo fù huì 。

Treating every color as a secret signal is far-fetched.

他的历史解释穿凿附会，缺少证据。

### Traditional Chinese

他的歷史解釋穿鑿附會，缺少證據。

tā de lì shǐ jiě shì chuān záo fù huì ， quē shǎo zhèng jù 。

His historical interpretation forces connections without evidence.

别穿凿附会地解释一句普通问候。

### Traditional Chinese

別穿鑿附會地解釋一句普通問候。

bié chuān záo fù huì dì jiě shì yí jù pǔ tōng wèn hòu 。

Do not force hidden meanings into an ordinary greeting.

这篇评论避免穿凿附会，仔细分析文本。

### Traditional Chinese

這篇評論避免穿鑿附會，仔細分析文本。

zhè piān píng lùn bì miǎn chuān záo fù huì ， zǐ xì fēn xī wén běn 。

The review analyzes the text without strained interpretations.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%A9%BF%E9%91%BF%E9%99%84%E6%9C%83)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=480&webMd=1&la=0)

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