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 Middle Chinese 沐猴而冠. Literally "monkey wear crown", as outwardly fine but inwardly lacking. From 史記.
Proverb
沐猴にして冠す (hiragana もっこうにしてかんす, rōmaji mokkō ni shite kansu)
- Being a person who is not suitable for the status.