走马看花
走马看花 (zǒu mǎ kàn huā) literally means “galloping horse views flowers” and expresses “superficial observation without depth”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zou ma kan hua, zou ma kan hua,走马看花 meaning, 走马看花 in english
Superficial observation without depth
Pronunciation: zǒu mǎ kàn huā Literal meaning: Galloping horse views flowers
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes viewing flowers (看花) while galloping past on horseback (走马), originating from Tang Dynasty poet Li Shangyin's verses lamenting hasty appreciation of beauty. The image perfectly captures the blur of motion - a rider glimpsing floral colors without perceiving individual petals or fragrances. During the Song Dynasty, scholars adopted it to criticize superficial engagement with art and literature. The contrast between rapid movement and delicate beauty creates a perfect metaphor for modern life's rushed experiences. Today it describes everything from whirlwind tourism to speed-reading, warning against prioritizing breadth over depth.
When to Use
Situation: The whirlwind tour gave tourists only a superficial impression of the country's culture
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 走马看花 mean in English?
走马看花 (zǒu mǎ kàn huā) literally translates to “Galloping horse views flowers” and is used to express “Superficial observation without depth”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 走马看花 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving superficial observation without depth.
What is the pinyin for 走马看花?
The pinyin pronunciation for 走马看花 is “zǒu mǎ kàn huā”.