盲人瞎马
盲人瞎马 (máng rén xiā mǎ) literally means “blind man blind horse” and expresses “reckless action”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: mang ren xia ma, mang ren xia ma,盲人瞎马 meaning, 盲人瞎马 in english
Reckless action
Pronunciation: máng rén xiā mǎ Literal meaning: Blind man blind horse
Origin & Usage
This idiom, 盲人瞎马 (máng rén xiā mǎ), originates from a story in the classical Chinese text 《世说新语》 (Shì Shuō Xīn Yǔ) by Liu Yiqing during the Southern Dynasties period. The story involves three Eastern Jin scholars, Yin Zhongkan, Huan Xuan, and Gu Kaizhi, who were engaged in a storytelling contest. Gu Kaizhi described a perilous scenario: 'A blind man (盲人, máng rén) riding a blind horse (瞎马, xiā mǎ) approaching a deep pond at midnight.' This vivid imagery highlights the extreme danger of acting without awareness or foresight. In modern usage, the idiom serves as a caution against reckless behavior and emphasizes the importance of careful planning and awareness before taking action.
Examples
English: "Navigating life without a plan is like a blind man on a blind horse, leading to uncertainty."
Chinese: 没有计划地生活就像盲人瞎马，充满了不确定性。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 盲人瞎马 mean in English?
盲人瞎马 (máng rén xiā mǎ) literally translates to “Blind man blind horse” and is used to express “Reckless action”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 盲人瞎马 used?
Situation: Navigating life without a plan is like a blind man on a blind horse, leading to uncertainty.
What is the pinyin for 盲人瞎马?
The pinyin pronunciation for 盲人瞎马 is “máng rén xiā mǎ”.