# 花枝招展

huā zhī zhāo zhǎn

Be dressed in a bright, showy, attractive way

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Flowering branches sway and display themselves

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe conspicuous colorful dress, traditionally of women.

Can sound judgmental or objectifying.

## Understanding the expression

Blossoming branches moving in the breeze suggest a display of color and ornament. Applied to a person, the expression usually describes bright, eye catching clothes and decoration. It is traditionally associated with women and can sound complimentary, teasing, or disapproving depending on tone. The phrase says nothing about character or competence. Someone’s conspicuous dress should not be treated as evidence of vanity without considering their own purpose and the setting.

## Examples

她打扮得花枝招展去参加舞会。

### Traditional Chinese

她打扮得花枝招展去參加舞會。

tā dǎ bàn dé huā zhī zhāo zhǎn qù cān jiā wǔ huì 。

She dressed brightly and attractively for the dance.

节日里，姑娘们个个花枝招展。

### Traditional Chinese

節日裡，姑娘們個個花枝招展。

jié rì lǐ ， gū niáng men gè gè huā zhī zhāo zhǎn 。

During the festival, the young women wore colorful, showy outfits.

这套戏服让演员显得花枝招展。

### Traditional Chinese

這套戲服讓演員顯得花枝招展。

zhè tào xì fú ràng yǎn yuán xiǎn de huā zhī zhāo zhǎn 。

This costume gives the actor a bright, ornate appearance.

她穿得花枝招展，却工作认真。

### Traditional Chinese

她穿得花枝招展，卻工作認真。

tā chuān dé huā zhī zhāo zhǎn ， què gōng zuò rèn zhēn 。

She dresses showily but works seriously.

## 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=%E8%8A%B1%E6%9E%9D%E6%8B%9B%E5%B1%95)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=882&webMd=1&la=0)

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