# 矫揉造作

jiǎo róu zào zuò

Be affected and unnatural

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Forcefully bend and artificially shape

**Traditional Chinese:** 矯揉造作

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Criticize strained manner, style, or expression.

Stylization is not always insincerity.

## Understanding the expression

The expression suggests something shaped so forcibly that it loses natural ease. It can describe exaggerated gestures, artificial emotion, or writing that tries too hard to sound elegant. The judgment concerns a mismatch between expression and its purpose. Deliberate theatrical style may be appropriate on stage, so unusual presentation alone is insufficient. A convincing critique explains why the manner feels imposed or unearned instead of simply preferring one person’s idea of naturalness.

## Examples

她的台词自然，没有矫揉造作。

### Traditional Chinese

她的臺詞自然，沒有矯揉造作。

tā de tái cí zì rán ， méi yǒu jiǎo róu zào zuò 。

Her lines sound natural, without affectation.

这段文字矫揉造作，读起来费劲。

### Traditional Chinese

這段文字矯揉造作，讀起來費勁。

zhè duàn wén zì jiǎo róu zào zuò ， dú qǐ lái fèi jìn 。

This passage is affected and difficult to read.

他故意装腔，显得矫揉造作。

### Traditional Chinese

他故意裝腔，顯得矯揉造作。

tā gù yì zhuāng qiāng ， xiǎn de jiǎo róu zào zuò 。

His deliberate airs made him seem affected.

删掉夸张动作后，表演不再矫揉造作。

### Traditional Chinese

刪掉誇張動作後，表演不再矯揉造作。

shān diào kuā zhāng dòng zuò hòu ， biǎo yǎn bú zài jiǎo róu zào zuò 。

Removing exaggerated gestures made the performance feel less artificial.

## 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%9F%AF%E6%8F%89%E9%80%A0%E4%BD%9C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=987&webMd=1&la=0)

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