# 大腹便便

dà fù pián pián

Have a noticeably large belly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A large protruding abdomen

**Register:** Descriptive · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe a paunch, usually critically or humorously.

Can be body-shaming; avoid judging character from size.

## Understanding the expression

The expression draws attention to a prominent belly and often carries a comic or unflattering tone. Literary portraits may use it to suggest comfort, age, or privilege, but body size alone establishes none of those qualities. It is not a medical assessment. In ordinary conversation, consider whether mentioning someone's body serves a real purpose. A fictional visual description may fit, while directing the phrase at a colleague can feel needlessly humiliating.

## Examples

漫画中的官员大腹便便。

### Traditional Chinese

漫畫中的官員大腹便便。

màn huà zhōng de guān yuán dà fù pián pián 。

The cartoon official has a large paunch.

他把大腹便便的角色演得很滑稽。

tā bǎ dà fù pián pián de jué sè yǎn dé hěn huá jī 。

He played the potbellied character comically.

小说用大腹便便描绘商人的外形。

### Traditional Chinese

小說用大腹便便描繪商人的外形。

xiǎo shuō yòng dà fù pián pián miáo huì shāng rén de wài xíng 。

The novel describes the merchant's prominent belly.

别因为他大腹便便就嘲笑他。

### Traditional Chinese

別因為他大腹便便就嘲笑他。

bié yīn wèi tā dà fù pián pián jiù cháo xiào tā 。

Do not mock him for his belly.

## 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=%E5%A4%A7%E8%85%B9%E4%BE%BF%E4%BE%BF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=624&webMd=1&la=0)

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