# 招摇撞骗

zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn

Impersonate someone important to deceive others

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Show off and deceive

**Traditional Chinese:** 招搖撞騙

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Describe fraud using false status, authority, or connections.

The false presentation of influence is more specific than ordinary lying.

## Understanding the expression

The expression links an impressive public display with deception. A fraudster may pretend to be an official, professional, or influential acquaintance so that others trust them or pay money. The display supplies credibility that the person has not earned. Modern contexts include fake recruiters and supposed insiders selling access. It is a serious accusation, so describe the impersonation and fraudulent aim rather than applying it to ordinary boastfulness.

## Examples

他冒充医生招摇撞骗。

### Traditional Chinese

他冒充醫生招搖撞騙。

tā mào chōng yī shēng zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn 。

He posed as a doctor to defraud people.

有人打着慈善机构的名义招摇撞骗。

### Traditional Chinese

有人打著慈善機構的名義招搖撞騙。

yǒu rén dǎ zhe cí shàn jī gòu de míng yì zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn 。

Someone is using a charity's name to deceive people.

那个假经纪人招摇撞骗，收了许多报名费。

### Traditional Chinese

那個假經紀人招搖撞騙，收了許多報名費。

nà ge jiǎ jīng jì rén zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn ， shōu le xǔ duō bào míng fèi 。

The fake agent defrauded people and collected many registration fees.

警方提醒大家提防冒充工作人员招摇撞骗的人。

### Traditional Chinese

警方提醒大家提防冒充工作人員招搖撞騙的人。

jǐng fāng tí xǐng dà jiā dī fáng mào chōng gōng zuò rén yuán zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn de rén 。

Police warned people about fraudsters posing as staff members.

## 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%E6%92%9E%E9%A8%99)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=402&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [正襟危坐 zhèng jīn wēi zuò Sit upright in a solemn, formal manner ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zheng-jin-wei-zuo)

- [咫尺天涯 zhǐ chǐ tiān yá Be physically close yet feel impossibly far apart ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-chi-tian-ya)

- [趾高气扬 zhǐ gāo qì yáng Act arrogantly and self-importantly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-gao-qi-yang)

- [指鹿为马 zhǐ lù wéi mǎ Deliberately misrepresent obvious facts ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-lu-wei-ma)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 招摇过市 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhao-yao-guo-shi) [Next idiom 正襟危坐 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zheng-jin-wei-zuo)