隔靴搔痒
隔靴搔痒 (gé xuē sāo yǎng) literally means “scratch itch through boot” and expresses “ineffective indirect solution”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ge xue sao yang, ge xue sao yang,隔靴搔痒 meaning, 隔靴搔痒 in english
Ineffective indirect solution
Pronunciation: gé xuē sāo yǎng
Literal meaning: Scratch itch through boot
Origin & Usage
This frustrating idiom describes scratching (搔) an itch (痒) through (隔) a boot (靴), originating from Song Dynasty vernacular literature. It first appeared in stories illustrating the futility of indirect solutions to immediate problems. The image created a perfect metaphor for ineffective efforts that fail to reach their target despite apparent activity. During the Ming Dynasty, medical texts adopted it to criticize treatments that failed to address underlying causes of disease. Unlike terms for simple failure, it specifically describes the frustration of effort applied at the wrong level or through inappropriate means. Modern usage identifies approaches that cannot succeed because they're fundamentally disconnected from the actual point of need.
Examples
English: "The vague explanation failed to address the underlying problem"
Chinese: 这个模糊的解释未能解决根本问题
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 隔靴搔痒 mean in English?
隔靴搔痒 (gé xuē sāo yǎng) literally translates to “Scratch itch through boot” and is used to express “Ineffective indirect solution”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 隔靴搔痒 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving ineffective indirect solution.
What is the pinyin for 隔靴搔痒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 隔靴搔痒 is “gé xuē sāo yǎng”.