餓顯（è xiǎn）

Pronunciation: è xiǎn

Basic Meaning: to reveal one's true colors due to hunger

Detailed Explanation: 餓顯 is a Chinese idiom that originated from the story of a hungry wolf. When a wolf is hungry, it cannot hide its true nature and will reveal its aggressive and predatory behavior. Similarly, this idiom is used to describe a situation where someone's true colors or intentions are exposed due to hunger or desperation.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom can be used in various situations where someone's true nature or intentions are revealed when they are in a desperate or difficult situation. It emphasizes the idea that people's true character is often revealed when they are faced with adversity.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient Chinese folklore about a hungry wolf. In the story, a wolf was starving and could no longer hide its predatory nature. It attacked a flock of sheep, revealing its true colors.

Structure of the Idiom: This idiom consists of two characters, 餓 (è) meaning "hungry" and 顯 (xiǎn) meaning "to reveal" or "to show". Together, they convey the meaning of revealing one's true colors due to hunger.

Example Sentences:

1. 當他餓得肚子咕咕叫時，他的真實目的就餓顯出來了。

Translation: When his stomach growled with hunger, his true intentions were revealed.

2. 面對困境，他的虛偽終于餓顯無遺。

Translation: Faced with adversity, his hypocrisy was finally exposed.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of this idiom, you can imagine a hungry wolf revealing its true nature. Visualize the image of a wolf growling and attacking, symbolizing the idea of someone's true colors being revealed due to hunger or desperation.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of revealing one's true colors, you can explore other related idioms and expressions in Chinese, such as "狼心狗肺" (láng xīn gǒu fèi), meaning "heart of a wolf and lungs of a dog" to describe someone who is extremely cruel and untrustworthy.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (age 8-12): 當小狗餓得肚子咕咕叫時，它變得兇狠起來，這就是餓顯了。

Translation: When a puppy's stomach growls with hunger, it becomes fierce, which is a manifestation of revealing one's true colors due to hunger.

2. Teenagers (age 13-18): 面對考試失敗，他的真實能力和努力就餓顯出來了。

Translation: Faced with exam failure, his true abilities and efforts were revealed.

3. Adults (age 25+): 當經濟危機來臨時，一些企業的財務問題就餓顯無遺。

Translation: When an economic crisis hits, the financial problems of some companies are exposed.