zhǐ sāng mà huái: 指桑骂槐 - To Scold Indirectly, To Make Oblique Accusations

• Keywords: zhǐ sāng mà huái, zhi sang ma huai, 指桑骂槐, Chinese idiom for indirect criticism, passive-aggressive Chinese, pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust, Chinese chengyu, thirty-six stratagems, indirect attack, veiled insult.
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 指桑骂槐 (zhǐ sāng mà huái) literally translates to “point at the mulberry tree and scold the pagoda tree.” It vividly describes the act of criticizing someone indirectly by directing your insults or anger at a different person or object. This classic strategy, originating from the Thirty-Six Stratagems, is a powerful tool for understanding passive-aggressive or face-saving communication in Chinese culture. This page will break down its meaning, cultural roots, and modern-day use in situations from office politics to family disputes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǐ sāng mà huái
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (Idiom); Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Considered an advanced, but common, idiom)
• Concise Definition: To scold someone indirectly by attacking a different, seemingly unrelated target.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a manager is angry at a senior employee, but doesn't want to confront them directly. Instead, the manager yells at a junior intern for a small mistake in front of everyone. The intern is the “mulberry tree,” but everyone, especially the senior employee (the “pagoda tree”), knows who the criticism is really for. It's a calculated, indirect attack meant to send a clear message without a direct confrontation.

• 指 (zhǐ): To point at; to indicate.
• 桑 (sāng): The mulberry tree, known for its leaves which are used to feed silkworms.
• 骂 (mà): To scold; to curse; to yell at.
• 槐 (huái): The pagoda tree (or Chinese scholar tree), a common tree in China.

These characters combine to create a very literal, almost theatrical image: someone is physically pointing their finger at one thing (the mulberry tree) while unleashing a torrent of insults at something else entirely (the pagoda tree). This physical disconnect perfectly mirrors the verbal strategy of attacking an intended target through a proxy.

指桑骂槐 is more than just an idiom; it's a window into the cultural importance of social harmony and “face” (面子, miànzi) in China. It is listed as one of the famous Thirty-Six Stratagems (三十六计, sān shí liù jì), a classic work on military and political strategy. In its original strategic context, it's a way for a superior to warn or discipline a subordinate without causing a direct, potentially rebellious, confrontation. By punishing a minor party for a small offense, the leader sends a powerful warning to a more powerful, intended target.

• Comparison to Western Culture: In Western, particularly American, culture, direct communication is often valued (“say what you mean”). A tactic like 指桑骂槐 might be dismissed as simply “passive-aggressive,” cowardly, or dishonest. However, in a Chinese context, it can be seen as a skillful, albeit sharp-edged, way to handle a sensitive situation. It allows the target to “receive the message” and correct their behavior without the public humiliation of a direct rebuke, thus allowing them to save face. It's less about avoiding a topic (like “beating around the bush”) and more about delivering a pointed criticism through a safer channel. It's a strategy, not just an avoidance tactic.

This idiom is alive and well in modern China, appearing in various contexts where direct conflict is undesirable but criticism must be delivered.

• In the Workplace: This is a classic tactic in office politics. A manager, unhappy with a whole team's performance, might single out one person's minor error and publicly criticize it, sending a message to everyone else to get their act together.
• In the Family: Family dynamics, especially with in-laws, are a fertile ground for 指桑骂槐. A mother-in-law might complain to her son, “Young people these days just don't know how to keep a house clean,” while her daughter-in-law is in the same room. The son is the “mulberry tree,” but the daughter-in-law is the clear “pagoda tree.”
• On Social Media: People often post vague, critical statuses that are clearly aimed at a specific friend or situation without naming them. For example, posting “I'm so tired of unreliable people who can't keep a promise” after a friend cancels plans.

The connotation of 指桑骂槐 is almost universally negative. It describes a sly, manipulative, and somewhat cowardly form of communication. No one enjoys being on the receiving end, and the person using it is often seen as scheming.

• Example 1:
  • 老板今天开会时，批评了新来的实习生工作不努力，其实是在指桑骂槐，说给那几个总迟到的老员工听的。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn jīntiān kāihuì shí, pīpíngle xīn lái de shíxíshēng gōngzuò bù nǔlì, qíshí shì zài zhǐ sāng mà huái, shuō gěi nà jǐ ge zǒng chídào de lǎo yuángōng tīng de.
  • English: During the meeting today, the boss criticized the new intern for not working hard, but he was actually pointing at the mulberry to scold the pagoda tree, intending for those old employees who are always late to hear it.
  • Analysis: A classic workplace example. The boss avoids directly confronting the senior, perhaps more defensive, employees by making an example of a “safer” target.
• Example 2:
  • 你别在这儿指桑骂槐了，有什么不满就直接跟我说。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié zài zhèr zhǐ sāng mà huái le, yǒu shénme bùmǎn jiù zhíjiē gēn wǒ shuō.
  • English: Stop making oblique accusations here. If you're unhappy with something, just tell me directly.
  • Analysis: This sentence is used to call out someone's passive-aggressive behavior, demanding direct communication instead.
• Example 3:
  • 她在朋友圈发了条“真讨厌爱占小便宜的人”，我感觉她是在指桑骂槐，说我上次吃饭没跟她AA制。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài péngyǒuquān fāle tiáo “zhēn tǎoyàn ài zhàn xiǎo piányi de rén”, wǒ gǎnjué tā shì zài zhǐ sāng mà huái, shuō wǒ shàng cì chīfàn méi gēn tā AA zhì.
  • English: She posted “I really hate people who love to take petty advantages” on her Moments; I feel like she was indirectly scolding me for not splitting the bill with her last time we ate.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of how this idiom applies to modern social media behavior. The post is general, but the timing and context make the real target clear.
• Example 4:
  • 婆婆当着我的面对儿子说：“娶了媳妇就忘了娘啊。” 她这不就是指桑骂槐吗？
  • Pinyin: Pópō dāngzhe wǒ de miàn duì érzi shuō: “Qǔle xífù jiù wàngle niáng a.” Tā zhè bù jiùshì zhǐ sāng mà huái ma?
  • English: In front of me, my mother-in-law said to her son, “Oh, once you marry a wife, you forget your mother.” Isn't she just pointing at the mulberry to scold me?
  • Analysis: This illustrates a common family dynamic where criticism of a daughter-in-law is routed through her husband.
• Example 5:
  • 这篇报纸社论表面上在批评一种社会现象，实际上是在指桑骂槐，抨击某些政府官员。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān bàozhǐ shèlùn biǎomiàn shàng zài pīpíng yī zhǒng shèhuì xiànxiàng, shíjìshang shì zài zhǐ sāng mà huái, pēngjī mǒuxiē zhèngfǔ guānyuán.
  • English: This newspaper editorial appears to be criticizing a social phenomenon, but it is actually making an oblique attack on certain government officials.
  • Analysis: This shows the idiom used in a more formal, political context, where direct criticism might be censored or dangerous.
• Example 6:
  • 他总是抱怨室友“有些人”不讲卫生，指桑骂槐的，让人听了很不舒服。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì bàoyuàn shìyǒu “yǒuxiē rén” bù jiǎng wèishēng, zhǐ sāng mà huái de, ràng rén tīngle hěn bù shūfu.
  • English: He's always complaining to his roommate that “some people” have poor hygiene; it's so passive-aggressive and makes people uncomfortable to listen to.
  • Analysis: Here, the “mulberry tree” is a hypothetical “some people,” while the “pagoda tree” is the roommate he is actually speaking to.
• Example 7:
  • 我知道你是在指桑骂槐，但我假装听不懂。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhīdào nǐ shì zài zhǐ sāng mà huái, dàn wǒ jiǎzhuāng tīng bù dǒng.
  • English: I know you're indirectly criticizing me, but I'm pretending not to understand.
  • Analysis: A common response to being the target of this idiom is to feign ignorance, thereby defusing the situation and refusing to engage with the passive aggression.
• Example 8:
  • 与其花时间指桑骂槐，不如我们坐下来好好谈谈问题。
  • Pinyin: Yǔqí huā shíjiān zhǐ sāng mà huái, bùrú wǒmen zuò xiàlái hǎohǎo tántan wèntí.
  • English: Instead of wasting time making veiled criticisms, why don't we sit down and discuss the problem properly?
  • Analysis: This sentence frames the idiom as an inefficient and undesirable communication method.
• Example 9:
  • 他的话听起来没问题，但仔细一想，句句都是在指桑骂槐。
  • Pinyin: Tā de huà tīngqǐlái méi wèntí, dàn zǐxì yī xiǎng, jù jù dōu shì zài zhǐ sāng mà huái.
  • English: His words sounded fine on the surface, but upon careful reflection, every sentence was an oblique criticism.
  • Analysis: This highlights the subtle and sly nature of the idiom. The criticism is coded and requires interpretation.
• Example 10:
  • 别以为我不知道你在指桑骂槐，你说的那个“不负责任的邻居”就是我吧？
  • Pinyin: Bié yǐwéi wǒ bù zhīdào nǐ zài zhǐ sāng mà huái, nǐ shuō de nàge “bù fùzérèn de línjū” jiùshì wǒ ba?
  • English: Don't think I don't know you're making pointed remarks. That “irresponsible neighbor” you mentioned is me, isn't it?
  • Analysis: This is a direct confrontation, calling out the person using the tactic and exposing their true target.

• Not Just “Beating Around the Bush”: A common mistake is to equate 指桑骂槐 with the English phrase “beating around the bush.” While both are indirect, “beating around the bush” (`拐弯抹角 guǎi wān mò jiǎo`) usually implies avoiding a difficult topic out of politeness or nervousness. 指桑骂槐 is not avoidant; it is an active, aggressive act of *scolding* or *criticizing*. The intent is to land a blow, just indirectly.
• Negative Connotation is Key: This idiom is exclusively for negative communication like criticism, scolding, or insults. You cannot use it for indirect praise or neutral hints.
  • Incorrect: 他指桑骂槐地暗示我，他觉得我很漂亮。(Tā zhǐ sāng mà huái de ànshì wǒ, tā juéde wǒ hěn piàoliang.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sentence means “He indirectly scolded me that he thinks I'm pretty,” which is nonsensical. The idiom's core meaning is “to scold,” which clashes with the positive compliment.

• 旁敲侧击 (páng qiāo cè jī) - “To beat the drum on the side”; a very close synonym for making indirect remarks or insinuations, perhaps slightly less aggressive than a direct scolding.
• 含沙射影 (hán shā shè yǐng) - “To hold sand in the mouth and spit at a shadow”; to make veiled, malicious attacks or insidious slanders. This is more sinister and harmful than 指桑骂槐.
• 杀鸡儆猴 (shā jī jǐng hóu) - “To kill the chicken to warn the monkey”; to punish someone as a harsh example for others. This is a related strategy, but it's usually an open, public act of punishment, whereas 指桑骂槐 is about veiled verbal criticism.
• 拐弯抹角 (guǎi wān mò jiǎo) - “To turn corners and follow a winding path”; the true equivalent of “beating around the bush.” It describes talking in a roundabout way, lacking the aggressive, critical intent of 指桑骂槐.
• 三十六计 (sān shí liù jì) - The Thirty-Six Stratagems; the classical Chinese text on strategy from which this idiom originates, placing it in a context of deliberate, calculated action.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social prestige. The desire to avoid making someone “lose face” directly is a primary motivation for using indirect strategies like 指桑骂槐.