囫囵吞枣
囫囵吞枣 (hú lún tūn zǎo) literally means “swallow dates whole” and expresses “accept without proper understanding”. 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: hu lun tun zao, hu lun tun zao,囫囵吞枣 meaning, 囫囵吞枣 in english
Accept without proper understanding
Pronunciation: hú lún tūn zǎo
Literal meaning: Swallow dates whole
Origin & Usage
This digestive idiom describes swallowing (吞) jujube dates (枣) whole (囫囵) without proper chewing, originating from Song Dynasty educational texts. It first appeared in critiques of students who memorized classical texts without understanding their meaning. The specific reference to dates was meaningful as these common fruits were known for their wrinkled complexity, containing multiple layers of flavor and a central pit that required careful consumption. During the Ming Dynasty, the phrase became standard terminology in scholarly criticism. Unlike terms for simple carelessness, it specifically describes superficial engagement with material requiring deeper processing. Modern usage criticizes rote learning without comprehension, particularly in educational contexts where memorization might substitute for understanding.
Examples
English: "The student memorized the formulas without understanding the underlying principles"
Chinese: 学生死记硬背公式，而不理解基本原理
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
Learn more →
轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
Learn more →
游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
Learn more →
成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
Learn more →
恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
Learn more →
恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 囫囵吞枣 mean in English?
囫囵吞枣 (hú lún tūn zǎo) literally translates to “Swallow dates whole” and is used to express “Accept without proper understanding”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 囫囵吞枣 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving accept without proper understanding.
What is the pinyin for 囫囵吞枣?
The pinyin pronunciation for 囫囵吞枣 is “hú lún tūn zǎo”.