好高骛远
好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) literally means “fond of high and distant goals” and expresses “unrealistic aspirations”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: hao gao wu yuan, hao gao wu yuan,好高骛远 meaning, 好高骛远 in english
Unrealistic aspirations
Pronunciation: hào gāo wù yuǎn Literal meaning: Fond of high and distant goals
Origin & Usage
The idiom 好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe someone who sets overly ambitious goals without considering their current capabilities. The characters paint a vivid image: 好 (hào) means 'to like' or 'to be fond of,' 高 (gāo) means 'high,' 骛 (wù) means 'to pursue,' and 远 (yuǎn) means 'far.' Together, they depict a person who is fond of pursuing high and distant goals. In modern usage, this idiom serves as a caution against unrealistic aspirations and encourages individuals to set achievable objectives based on their present situation.
Examples
English: "His lofty ambitions often lead to disappointment when reality sets in."
Chinese: 他的雄心壮志常常在现实面前让他失望。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 好高骛远 mean in English?
好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) literally translates to “Fond of high and distant goals” and is used to express “Unrealistic aspirations”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 好高骛远 used?
Situation: His lofty ambitions often lead to disappointment when reality sets in.
What is the pinyin for 好高骛远?
The pinyin pronunciation for 好高骛远 is “hào gāo wù yuǎn”.