# 借花献佛

jiè huā xiàn fó

Offer something obtained from someone else

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Present borrowed flowers to the Buddha

**Traditional Chinese:** 借花獻佛

**Register:** Modest · conversational

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Modestly describe using another's gift or help to show kindness.

Do not conceal ownership or give away without permission.

## Understanding the expression

The offering is sincere in form, but the flowers originally came from elsewhere. Modern speakers often use the phrase lightly when sharing a gift, passing on useful information, or presenting someone else's contribution with thanks. It can be a modest admission that the resource is not their own. Permission and credit still matter. The expression should not become an excuse for taking property or pretending that borrowed work is original.

## Examples

我借花献佛，请你吃同事送的点心。

### Traditional Chinese

我借花獻佛，請你吃同事送的點心。

wǒ jiè huā xiàn fó ， qǐng nǐ chī tóng shì sòng de diǎn xīn 。

Let me share the snacks my colleague gave me.

她借花献佛，把老师的建议转给我。

### Traditional Chinese

她借花獻佛，把老師的建議轉給我。

tā jiè huā xiàn fó ， bǎ lǎo shī de jiàn yì zhuǎn gěi wǒ 。

She passed her teacher's advice to me as a helpful gift.

这束花是朋友送的，我借花献佛。

### Traditional Chinese

這束花是朋友送的，我借花獻佛。

zhè shù huā shì péng yǒu sòng de ， wǒ jiè huā xiàn fó 。

A friend gave me these flowers, which I am passing on.

他征得同意后借花献佛，送出那张票。

### Traditional Chinese

他徵得同意後借花獻佛，送出那張票。

tā zhēng dé tóng yì hòu jiè huā xiàn fó ， sòng chū nà zhāng piào 。

With permission, he passed the ticket on as a gift.

## 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%80%9F%E8%8A%B1%E7%8D%BB%E4%BD%9B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=147&webMd=1&la=0)

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