# 牵强附会

qiān qiǎng fù huì

Force an interpretation or connection without adequate support

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Pull by force and attach an explanation

**Traditional Chinese:** 牽強附會

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Criticize strained arguments or symbolic readings.

Unusual interpretations can be valid with evidence.

## Understanding the expression

The explanation is attached to the material by force rather than arising naturally from it. The expression describes a comparison, interpretation, or argument that relies on weak connections. It is common in literary criticism and discussion of supposed coincidences. A creative reading is not necessarily strained, however. The issue is support: details should connect in a convincing way, and alternative explanations should not be ignored merely to preserve a preferred conclusion.

## Examples

把巧合说成预言，太牵强附会。

### Traditional Chinese

把巧合說成預言，太牽強附會。

bǎ qiǎo hé shuō chéng yù yán ， tài qiān qiǎng fù huì 。

Treating the coincidence as a prophecy is too far-fetched.

这段解读牵强附会，缺少依据。

### Traditional Chinese

這段解讀牽強附會，缺少依據。

zhè duàn jiě dú qiān qiǎng fù huì ， quē shǎo yī jù 。

This interpretation is strained and lacks support.

别牵强附会地替错误找理由。

### Traditional Chinese

別牽強附會地替錯誤找理由。

bié qiān qiǎng fù huì dì tì cuò wù zhǎo lǐ yóu 。

Do not invent strained explanations to justify the mistake.

她用文本证据避免牵强附会。

### Traditional Chinese

她用文本證據避免牽強附會。

tā yòng wén běn zhèng jù bì miǎn qiān qiǎng fù huì 。

She used textual evidence to avoid a forced interpretation.

## 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%89%BD%E5%BC%B7%E9%99%84%E6%9C%83)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=949&webMd=1&la=0)

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