# 招摇过市

zhāo yáo guò shì

Show off conspicuously in public

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Pass through the marketplace ostentatiously

**Traditional Chinese:** 招搖過市

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize attention-seeking public display.

Being visible or dressing differently does not automatically imply showing off.

## Understanding the expression

A busy marketplace provides an audience, while the manner of passing through it draws notice deliberately. The expression therefore focuses on conspicuous display rather than ordinary movement. Expensive possessions, loud behavior, or exaggerated status can supply the modern context. It carries the speaker's disapproval of the attention-seeking performance. Use it carefully when describing appearance, because simply standing out does not establish an intention to impress or provoke others.

## Examples

他戴着满手戒指招摇过市。

### Traditional Chinese

他戴著滿手戒指招搖過市。

tā dài zhe mǎn shǒu jiè zhǐ zhāo yáo guò shì 。

He paraded around showing off rings on every finger.

别开着改装车招摇过市，噪声会影响邻居。

### Traditional Chinese

別開著改裝車招搖過市，噪聲會影響鄰居。

bié kāi zhe gǎi zhuāng chē zhāo yáo guò shì ， zào shēng huì yǐng xiǎng lín jū 。

Do not show off your modified car around town; its noise disturbs neighbors.

那群人穿着夸张制服招摇过市，吸引了许多目光。

### Traditional Chinese

那群人穿著誇張制服招搖過市，吸引了許多目光。

nà qún rén chuān zhe kuā zhāng zhì fú zhāo yáo guò shì ， xī yǐn le xǔ duō mù guāng 。

The group paraded in extravagant uniforms, attracting many looks.

她不喜欢拿着昂贵礼物招摇过市。

### Traditional Chinese

她不喜歡拿著昂貴禮物招搖過市。

tā bù xǐ huan ná zhe áng guì lǐ wù zhāo yáo guò shì 。

She dislikes conspicuously showing off expensive gifts in public.

## 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=%E6%8B%9B%E6%90%96%E9%81%8E%E5%B8%82)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=379&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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