夸誑（kuā huǎng）

Pronunciation: kuā huǎng

Basic Meaning: to exaggerate or fabricate

Detailed Explanation: 夸誑 refers to the act of exaggerating or fabricating something. It implies that someone is intentionally distorting the truth or making false claims in order to deceive others.

Usage Scenarios: 夸誑 is often used to describe someone who habitually exaggerates or lies about their achievements, abilities, or experiences. It can also be used to criticize someone who uses false information to gain an advantage or manipulate others.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient China. In the book "Zuo Zhuan," there is a story about a man named Gongshu Ban. Gongshu Ban was known for his exceptional skills in carpentry, and he often boasted about his abilities. However, when he was put to the test, it was revealed that he had been exaggerating his skills. This story serves as a cautionary tale against boasting and exaggeration.

Structure of the Idiom: The idiom 夸誑 is formed by combining the characters 夸 (kuā), which means "to praise" or "to boast," and 誑 (huǎng), which means "to deceive" or "to lie."

Example Sentences:

1. 他總是夸誑自己的成績，沒人相信他說的話。

Translation: He always exaggerates his achievements, and no one believes what he says.

2. 這家公司的廣告夸誑了產品的效果，實際上并不那么好。

Translation: The company's advertisement exaggerated the effectiveness of the product, but in reality, it's not that good.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of 夸誑, you can imagine a person boasting about their achievements while holding a sign that says "Lies" or "Exaggeration." This visual image can help you associate the idiom with its meaning.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of 夸誑, you can explore related idioms such as 夸大其詞 (kuā dà qí cí), which means "to exaggerate" or "to overstate," and 虛張聲勢 (xū zhāng shēng shì), which means "to put on airs" or "to make a show of strength."

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (8-12 years old): 他夸誑地說自己會飛得比鳥還高。

Translation: He exaggeratedly claimed that he could fly higher than birds.

2. Teenagers (13-18 years old): 她夸誑地說自己參加過很多國際比賽，但沒有任何證據證明她的說法。

Translation: She lied about participating in many international competitions, but there is no evidence to support her claims.

3. Adults (above 18 years old): 他的演講充滿了夸誑的內容，讓人難以相信他的觀點。

Translation: His speech was full of exaggerations, making it hard to believe his viewpoints.