缘木求鱼
缘木求鱼 (yuán mù qiú yú) literally means “climb tree seek fish” and expresses “using completely wrong method for a task”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: yuan mu qiu yu, yuan mu qiu yu,缘木求鱼 meaning, 缘木求鱼 in english
Using completely wrong method for a task
Pronunciation: yuán mù qiú yú Literal meaning: Climb tree seek fish
Origin & Usage
Mencius first used this vivid image of climbing trees (缘木) to catch fish (求鱼) in the 4th century BCE, criticizing approaches that ignore natural principles. The absurdity of seeking aquatic life in arboreal settings perfectly captured the futility of mismatched methods and goals. Han Dynasty political discourse adopted it as shorthand for fundamentally misguided approaches. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder in business strategy and education that effort, however intense, cannot overcome a fundamentally flawed approach.
When to Use
Situation: The company sought manufacturing efficiency by hiring more managers instead of upgrading equipment
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 缘木求鱼 mean in English?
缘木求鱼 (yuán mù qiú yú) literally translates to “Climb tree seek fish” and is used to express “Using completely wrong method for a task”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 缘木求鱼 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving using completely wrong method for a task.
What is the pinyin for 缘木求鱼?
The pinyin pronunciation for 缘木求鱼 is “yuán mù qiú yú”.