抱薪救火
抱薪救火 (bào xīn jiù huǒ) literally means “carry wood save fire” and expresses “make situation worse”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: bao xin jiu huo, bao xin jiu huo,抱薪救火 meaning, 抱薪救火 in english
Make situation worse
Pronunciation: bào xīn jiù huǒ Literal meaning: Carry wood save fire
Origin & Usage
This paradoxical image of carrying (抱) firewood (薪) to extinguish (救) a fire (火) emerged during the Warring States period as a metaphor for self-defeating actions. Historical records show it being used to criticize policies that appeared helpful but actually worsened situations. The image was particularly powerful in ancient China, where wood was both essential fuel and a major fire hazard in urban areas. Today, it describes counterproductive solutions that aggravate the problems they attempt to solve, from misguided economic policies to relationship interventions that increase conflict.
Examples
English: "Their hasty solution only complicated the existing issues"
Chinese: 他们仓促的解决方案只是使现有问题更加复杂
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
融会贯通
róng huì guàn tōng
Master something completely
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学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
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读万卷书
dú wàn juǎn shū
Read extensively for knowledge
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 抱薪救火 mean in English?
抱薪救火 (bào xīn jiù huǒ) literally translates to “Carry wood save fire” and is used to express “Make situation worse”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 抱薪救火 used?
Situation: Their hasty solution only complicated the existing issues
What is the pinyin for 抱薪救火?
The pinyin pronunciation for 抱薪救火 is “bào xīn jiù huǒ”.