# 蜀犬吠日

shǔ quǎn fèi rì

Mistake unfamiliar things for something strange

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Dogs in Shu bark at the sun

**Register:** Critical · literary

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

## When to use it

Criticize surprise caused by limited experience.

Literary and potentially insulting.

## Understanding the expression

The image is of animals reacting noisily to something ordinary because they have little experience of it. The expression criticizes a narrow outlook that turns unfamiliarity into suspicion or ridicule. Modern use is literary and can sound scornful toward the person being described. It does not mean every surprised reaction is foolish. Genuine curiosity can lead to learning, while the idiom targets confident judgment based on too little exposure.

## Examples

他把新工具都骂一遍，像蜀犬吠日。

### Traditional Chinese

他把新工具都罵一遍，像蜀犬吠日。

tā bǎ xīn gōng jù dōu mà yí biàn ， xiàng shǔ quǎn fèi rì 。

He condemns every new tool like someone ignorant of the wider world.

别蜀犬吠日，先了解这种艺术。

### Traditional Chinese

別蜀犬吠日，先了解這種藝術。

bié shǔ quǎn fèi rì ， xiān liǎo jiě zhè zhǒng yì shù 。

Learn about this art before reacting ignorantly.

评论把他们的惊讶比作蜀犬吠日。

### Traditional Chinese

評論把他們的驚訝比作蜀犬吠日。

píng lùn bǎ tā men de jīng yà bǐ zuò shǔ quǎn fèi rì 。

The review likens their surprise to narrow minded ignorance.

见识少不可怕，蜀犬吠日才可惜。

### Traditional Chinese

見識少不可怕，蜀犬吠日才可惜。

jiàn shi shǎo bù kě pà ， shǔ quǎn fèi rì cái kě xī 。

Limited experience is understandable; ignorant condemnation is regrettable.

## 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%9C%80%E7%8A%AC%E5%90%A0%E6%97%A5)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=161&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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