# 呆若木鸡

dāi ruò mù jī

Be stunned into motionless silence

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be like a wooden chicken

**Traditional Chinese:** 呆若木雞

**Register:** Descriptive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe a frozen reaction to shock or surprise.

Modern sense is astonishment; do not infer stupidity.

## Understanding the expression

A wooden chicken cannot move or respond, making it a vivid comparison for someone momentarily frozen by surprise. The expression often follows unexpected news, an alarming scene, or a sudden reversal. It describes the immediate reaction rather than lasting intelligence or personality. A stunned person may need time to absorb what happened. The surrounding event gives the phrase its emotional meaning, which can range from delighted disbelief to fear or distress.

## Examples

听到中奖消息，他呆若木鸡。

### Traditional Chinese

聽到中獎消息，他呆若木雞。

tīng dào zhòng jiǎng xiāo xī ， tā dāi ruò mù jī 。

He froze in disbelief at the prize news.

她看到破碎的花瓶，呆若木鸡。

### Traditional Chinese

她看到破碎的花瓶，呆若木雞。

tā kàn dào pò suì de huā píng ， dāi ruò mù jī 。

She stood stunned at the broken vase.

突如其来的质问让他呆若木鸡。

### Traditional Chinese

突如其來的質問讓他呆若木雞。

tū rú qí lái de zhì wèn ràng tā dāi ruò mù jī 。

The unexpected questioning left him speechless.

门一开，孩子们呆若木鸡地看着惊喜。

### Traditional Chinese

門一開，孩子們呆若木雞地看著驚喜。

mén yì kāi ， hái zi men dāi ruò mù jī dì kàn zhe jīng xǐ 。

The children froze at the surprise behind the door.

## 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%91%86%E8%8B%A5%E6%9C%A8%E9%9B%9E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=647&webMd=1&la=0)

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