xiōng胸chestwú无nodiǎn点dropmò墨ink
Illiterate; uncultured; without learning.
Literal meaning
chest (胸) — no (无) — drop (点) — ink (墨)
Origin
Describes someone who has no knowledge or learning, as if their chest contains not even a drop of ink. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
tā他xiōng胸wú无diǎn点mò墨，què却xǐ喜huan欢zhuāng装zuò作hěn很yǒu有xué学wèn问de的yàng样zi子。
He is illiterate, but he likes to pretend to be very knowledgeable.
suī虽rán然tā他xiōng胸wú无diǎn点mò墨，dàn但tā他hěn很yǒu有shí实jiàn践jīng经yàn验。
Although he is uncultured, he has a lot of practical experience.
Usage & nuances
Negative, describes a lack of education or knowledge.
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