沐猴にして冠す

Japanese
Kanji in this term
沐 猴 冠
もく > もっ
Hyōgaiji		 こう
Hyōgaiji		 かん
Grade: S
on’yomi

Etymology

Calque of Literary Chinese 沐猴而冠 (mùhóu'érguàn). Literally "monkey wear crown", as outwardly fine but inwardly lacking. From 史記.

Proverb

沐(もっ)猴(こう)にして冠(かん)す • (mokkō ni shite kansu) 

  1. Being a person who is not suitable for the status.
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