Hu Jia Hu Wei (狐假虎威, hú jiǎ hǔ wēi) describes someone who relies on a more powerful person’s name, position, or influence to intimidate others. Literally, the idiom pictures a fox “borrowing” a tiger’s imposing power.
Quick Answer
In 狐假虎威, 假 is pronounced jiǎ and means “to borrow” or “to make use of.” The idiom is normally critical: the apparent power belongs to someone else. It does not automatically describe every assistant, representative, or employee acting with legitimate authority. Readers can verify the pronunciation, source, and figurative definition in Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Revised Mandarin Chinese Dictionary entry for 狐假虎威.
Basic Facts
| Chinese | 狐假虎威 |
|---|---|
| Pinyin | hú jiǎ hǔ wēi |
| Literal image | A fox borrowing a tiger’s intimidating presence |
| Source tradition | The familiar political fable appears in Zhan Guo Ce, “Chu Ce I” |
| Modern sense | Using another person’s power or connections to frighten or bully people |
| Tone | Usually negative or critical |
The Fox and Tiger Story
A tiger catches a fox and is ready to eat it. The fox claims that Heaven has appointed it leader of all animals. To prove the claim, the fox asks the tiger to walk behind it through the forest. Every animal they meet runs away.
The tiger believes the animals are afraid of the fox. The reader sees what the tiger misses: they are actually fleeing from the tiger. The fox survives by placing real power behind a false impression of its own authority.
In the political setting recorded in Zhan Guo Ce, “Chu Ce I”, the story explains why other states appeared to fear the minister Zhao Xixu: their real concern was the military power of the king behind him. That context matters because the idiom is not merely about a clever animal. It is about borrowed authority being mistaken for personal power.
Pinyin and Character Notes
The pronunciation is hú jiǎ hǔ wēi:
- 狐 (hú): fox
- 假 (jiǎ): to borrow, rely on, or make use of in this expression
- 虎 (hǔ): tiger
- 威 (wēi): power, prestige, or an intimidating presence
Learners sometimes read 假 as jià, the pronunciation used in words such as 放假 (to have a holiday). That reading is incorrect here. Another common mistake is translating 假 only as “fake.” The fox’s claim is deceptive, but the character’s role in this idiom is closer to “borrow” or “rely on,” consistent with the dictionary sense listed for 假.
How to Use 狐假虎威 Today
Use the idiom when someone has little authority of their own but invokes a powerful connection to pressure other people. The key is not simply that a person represents a leader or organization; the expression implies intimidation, misuse, or self-importance.
Good sentence fits
- 他仗着经理支持，狐假虎威地命令同事。
Relying on the manager’s support, he ordered his coworkers around as if the authority were his own. - 别以为认识负责人就可以狐假虎威。
Do not think knowing the person in charge gives you the right to intimidate others. - The official’s assistant was accused of 狐假虎威 after threatening shopkeepers with his superior’s name.
When the idiom does not fit
A receptionist communicating an approved policy, a lawyer acting within a client’s authorization, or a team leader carrying out assigned duties is not necessarily 狐假虎威. The idiom fits only when borrowed authority is used to overawe, bully, or create a misleading impression of personal power.
Quick Reference
- Meaning: intimidating others with borrowed power
- Story test: Who is the fox, who is the tiger, and whom do people truly fear?
- Usage test: Is the person misusing a stronger person’s authority?
- Avoid: applying the idiom to ordinary, legitimate representation without bullying or deception
Continue with Chinese idioms for kids, explore a Chinese idiom stories book, or compare more Chinese idioms in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hu Jia Hu Wei mean?
It means using a powerful person’s backing or reputation to intimidate others. The fox appears powerful only because the tiger is behind it.
How is 假 pronounced in 狐假虎威?
It is pronounced jiǎ, third tone. Here it means “to borrow” or “to make use of,” not “holiday.”
Why do the animals run away?
They see the tiger following the fox and flee from the tiger. The tiger wrongly concludes that they fear the fox.
Is 狐假虎威 always an insult?
It is normally critical because it implies misuse of borrowed authority. It should not be applied automatically to someone carrying out legitimate delegated duties.