多此一举...
Superfluous...
字面意思: To add this one move/action unnecessarily.
Use it to call out redundant actions that add effort but no value.
15秒了解
- Used for actions that are totally unnecessary or redundant.
- Derived from an ancient story about drawing feet on snakes.
- Perfect for pointing out over-complications in daily life.
意思
It describes doing something completely unnecessary that adds no value. It's like wearing a raincoat while you're already inside a swimming pool.
关键例句
3 / 6A friend brings a coat in 90-degree weather
今天这么热，你还带外套，真是多此一举。
It's so hot today, bringing a coat is really superfluous.
A colleague prints a digital-only document
大家都看电子版了，你再打印出来是多此一举。
Everyone read the digital version; printing it out is redundant.
Texting a friend who just sent a redundant reminder
我知道啦！你发两次信息真是多此一举。
I know! Sending the message twice is just overkill.
文化背景
This expression is rooted in the Warring States period story of 'Drawing a Snake and Adding Feet.' It reflects a core Chinese philosophical value of balance and 'just enough' (Zhongyong). It highlights the cultural disdain for wastefulness and over-embellishment in both work and art.
The 'Is it Rude?' Check
If you use this to describe someone's kind gesture, it sounds ungrateful. Use it for tasks and logic, not feelings!
Don't confuse with '画蛇添足'
While similar, `画蛇添足` implies you actually ruined the result. `多此一举` just means it was a waste of time.
15秒了解
- Used for actions that are totally unnecessary or redundant.
- Derived from an ancient story about drawing feet on snakes.
- Perfect for pointing out over-complications in daily life.
What It Means
Imagine you finish a beautiful painting. Then, you decide to draw a tiny hat on a bird. But the hat ruins the whole vibe. That is 多此一举. It refers to an action that is redundant. It is 'one move too many.' You did something extra, but it wasn't helpful. In fact, it might have made things worse.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone comment. You can also use it to describe a specific decision. It often follows the verb 是 (to be). For example, 'That was 多此一举.' It’s a great way to point out inefficiency. Use it when someone overcomplicates a simple task.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend brings an umbrella on a sunny day. Use it in a meeting when someone suggests a redundant report. It’s perfect for those 'Why did you even do that?' moments.
- At a restaurant: Someone orders water when there is a free pitcher on the table.
- Texting: Sending a 'Did you get my text?' message five seconds later.
- At work: Printing an email that everyone already read online.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if someone is being genuinely thoughtful. If your partner buys you flowers, don't say it's 多此一举. That’s a fast track to the doghouse! Avoid it when someone is being extra cautious for safety reasons. It can sound a bit critical or dismissive. Use it with people you know well to avoid sounding rude.
Cultural Background
This phrase is a classic 'Chengyu' (four-character idiom). It comes from an ancient story called 'Drawing a Snake and Adding Feet.' A man finished drawing a snake first in a contest. He felt so confident he added feet to the snake. He lost because snakes don't have feet! It teaches us that 'more' isn't always 'better.'
Common Variations
You might hear 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú). This is the specific idiom about the snake's feet. 多此一举 is the more modern, everyday version. Both mean 'superfluous.' Another casual way is saying 没必要 (méi bì yào), which just means 'unnecessary.' But 多此一举 has more 'flavor' and punch.
使用说明
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. The only 'gotcha' is its potential to sound dismissive of someone's hard work, so ensure the context is about efficiency rather than personal effort.
The 'Is it Rude?' Check
If you use this to describe someone's kind gesture, it sounds ungrateful. Use it for tasks and logic, not feelings!
Don't confuse with '画蛇添足'
While similar, `画蛇添足` implies you actually ruined the result. `多此一举` just means it was a waste of time.
The Power of Four
Using this four-character idiom makes you sound much more fluent than just saying 'unnecessary' (没必要).
例句
6今天这么热，你还带外套，真是多此一举。
It's so hot today, bringing a coat is really superfluous.
Points out a clear lack of logic in the action.
大家都看电子版了，你再打印出来是多此一举。
Everyone read the digital version; printing it out is redundant.
Used to highlight inefficiency in a professional setting.
我知道啦！你发两次信息真是多此一举。
I know! Sending the message twice is just overkill.
Playful teasing about over-communication.
为了避免多此一举，我们删掉了最后的步骤。
To avoid unnecessary steps, we deleted the final part.
Using the phrase to justify a logical decision.
地已经够亮了，你再擦一遍简直是多此一举。
The floor is shiny enough; wiping it again is just extra work.
Lighthearted observation of 'over-cleaning.'
我解释了半天，后来发现其实是多此一举。
I explained for ages, then realized it was completely unnecessary.
Self-reflection on one's own redundant behavior.
自我测试
Choose the best phrase to describe someone bringing sand to a beach.
去沙滩还带沙子，真是 ___。
Bringing sand to a beach is the definition of a redundant, unnecessary action.
Complete the sentence to tell a colleague they don't need to re-send an email.
你已经发过邮件了，再发一遍就是 ___ 了。
Sending the same email twice is a classic example of 'one move too many.'
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of '多此一举'
Teasing friends about silly mistakes.
你带伞干嘛？多此一举！
Standard daily conversation or workplace feedback.
这样做有点多此一举。
Writing reports or giving speeches about efficiency.
应简化流程，避免多此一举。
When to say '多此一举'
Over-packing
Bringing 5 shoes for a 2-day trip.
Tech Overkill
Using two calculators for 1+1.
Social Fluff
Introducing people who are already married.
Work Waste
Writing a summary of a one-sentence email.
常见问题
10 个问题Mostly, yes. But while 不需要 (bù xū yào) means 'not needed,' 多此一举 specifically mocks the *action* of doing the extra thing.
Yes, it's neutral. You can say 这样做是否多此一举？ to politely question a redundant process.
It can be a mild criticism. It's like saying 'That was a waste of effort.' Use it carefully with superiors.
A good opposite is 画龙点睛 (huà lóng diǎn jīng), which means adding a tiny touch that makes something perfect.
No, it describes actions or decisions, not people's personalities. You wouldn't call a person 多此一举.
No, it's a formal idiom (Chengyu), but it's so common that it's used in very casual daily speech.
In this context, 举 (jǔ) means an act or a move, like a move in a chess game.
Add 真是 (zhēn shì) before it. Saying 真是多此一举 adds a bit of 'really' for emphasis.
No, it only applies to things you *did* do that you shouldn't have bothered with.
Not really, but in slang, people might just say 多余 (duō yú), which means 'extra/superfluous.'
相关表达
画蛇添足
To ruin something by adding unnecessary details.
徒劳无功
To work hard but achieve nothing.
没必要
No need / Unnecessary.
画龙点睛
The perfect final touch (the positive opposite).
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