Basic Info
- Chinese Idiom: 搬弄是非 (Bān nòng shì fēi)
- Pinyin: bān nòng shì fēi
- Literal meaning: “To move and manipulate right and wrong.”
(搬弄 = to move about / manipulate / stir up; 是 = right / what is said; 非 = wrong / disputes)
Also written as 拨弄是非 (bō nòng shì fēi).
Figurative Definition
It means to carry tales, spread gossip, twist people’s words, and stir up disputes behind others’ backs. A person who “搬弄是非” takes what one person said, repeats or distorts it to another, and creates misunderstanding, suspicion, and conflict.
It is strongly negative and describes mischief-making through gossip – not innocent chatter. The person may pretend to be helpful or friendly while quietly sowing discord.
In short: to gossip maliciously and stir up trouble between people.
Cultural & Historical Origin
This idiom is cited from the Yuan Dynasty play Wu Yuan Plays the Flute (《伍员吹箫》) by Li Shouqing (李寿卿), Act 1:
“谁想太傅伍奢无礼，他在平公面前搬弄我许多的是非。”
(“Who would have thought that Grand Tutor Wu She would be so rude – he stirred up a great deal of trouble for me by speaking ill of me before Duke Ping.”)
The line comes from a court intrigue setting: Fei Wuji accuses Wu She of manipulating the ruler’s perception by spreading damaging talk. Fei Wuji served as Junior Tutor to Prince Jian of King Ping of Chu, while Wu She was the Grand Tutor. Disliked by the prince and fearing retaliation once Prince Jian ascended the throne after King Ping’s death, Fei Wuji repeatedly slandered the prince and Wu She. Finally, Wu She and his son Wu Shang were executed. And the other son Wu Yun(Wu Zixu, Wu Yuan) escaped. The quoted remark above was Fei Wuji pre-emptive move: he twisted his own false accusation against Wu She into a claim that Wu She had sown discord first, laying groundwork for the later execution of Wu She and his sons.
The idiom captures the political and personal danger of gossip – words repeated in the wrong ears can destroy reputations and alliances.
The phrase reflects a lasting Chinese social concern: harmony depends on trust, and gossip destroys trust. “搬弄是非” is therefore not a minor fault – it is a serious threat to relationships and order.
Key Lesson
Words can be weapons – especially when carried behind someone’s back. The idiom warns against gossip, tale-carrying, and manipulation. It teaches self-control of the tongue, loyalty to absent people, and refusal to participate in harmful talk. If you hear a rumor, ask: Is this true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? A person who stirs up trouble between others ultimately damages their own credibility too.
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese, “搬弄是非” is a common, sharply critical idiom. It appears in:
- Workplace commentary – describing colleagues who spread rumors and create factions.
- Family and neighborhood disputes – criticizing gossip that poisons relationships.
- Moral education – warning children and students against tale-bearing.
- Literary and dramatic description – portraying petty, scheming characters.
Its near-synonyms are “挑拨离间” (tiǎo bō lí jiàn – “to sow discord and drive a wedge between people”) and “惹是生非” (rě shì shēng fēi – “to stir up trouble”). Its opposite is “精诚团结” (jīng chéng tuán jié – “sincere unity”).
Similar English Expressions
- To stir up trouble – To cause conflict or disorder.
- To sow discord – To plant seeds of disagreement between people.
- To gossip / spread gossip – To repeat rumors about others.
- To carry tales – To repeat what someone said in order to cause trouble.
- To badmouth someone – To speak ill of someone behind their back.
- To play both sides – To manipulate different parties for one’s own benefit.
- A mischief-maker – A person who enjoys causing trouble.
- To pour oil on the fire – To make a conflict worse (related).
The closest and most natural equivalents are “to stir up trouble,” “to sow discord,” and “to carry tales.”
In short, “搬弄是非” means manipulating right and wrong – a sharp, negative Chinese idiom for gossip, tale-carrying, and sowing discord, and a timeless reminder that the tongue can build harmony or destroy it.
Leave a Reply