走马观花
走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā) literally means “view flowers from galloping horse” and expresses “observe hastily and superficially”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zou ma guan hua, zou ma guan hua,走马观花 meaning, 走马观花 in english
Observe hastily and superficially
Pronunciation: zǒu mǎ guān huā
Literal meaning: View flowers from galloping horse
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom describes viewing (观) flowers (花) while riding (走) a galloping horse (马), originating from Tang Dynasty tourism practices. Historical records mention how imperial messengers or officials traveling quickly through regions could only glimpse scenes briefly before moving on. The image perfectly captured the inherent tension between motion and observation. During the Song Dynasty, it evolved into literary criticism, describing works that covered many topics without deep engagement. Unlike terms for simple carelessness, it acknowledges the constraints of time or circumstance that necessitate superficial engagement. Modern usage describes cursory experiences of all kinds, from rushed tourism to superficial learning, without necessarily implying negligence.
Examples
English: "The three-day tour only allowed for a superficial impression of the ancient city"
Chinese: 为期三天的旅游只能对这座古城有一个肤浅的印象
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 走马观花 mean in English?
走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā) literally translates to “View flowers from galloping horse” and is used to express “Observe hastily and superficially”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 走马观花 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving observe hastily and superficially.
What is the pinyin for 走马观花?
The pinyin pronunciation for 走马观花 is “zǒu mǎ guān huā”.