Chinese idiom · 成语
大巧若拙
Meaning
Great skill seems clumsy; true mastery looks simple.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary expressionLaozi (老子), chapter 45, places this expression among paradoxes: great straightness seems bent, great skill seems awkward, and great eloquence seems hesitant. The contrast challenges the assumption that excellence must announce itself through a polished or impressive surface.
The phrase is philosophical language, not a tale of a craftsman deliberately making a bad object. In later use it praises skill or intelligence that appears plain and unshowy. A simple-looking result may embody deep understanding, while elaborate display may not. The idiom does not mean that every clumsy performance is secretly brilliant; the real ability must still be present.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这张海报看着简单，细看才知道布局高明，真是大巧若拙。
The poster looks simple, but a closer look reveals its masterful layout—great skill without showiness.
Praise genuine mastery behind an unassuming appearance.