本末倒置 in English ben3 mo4 dao4 zhi4 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to invert root and branch (idiomatic expression); metaphorically confusing cause and effect
  • to stress the incidental over the fundamental
  • to put the cart before the horse

Simplified Characters

本 末 倒 置

Traditional Characters

本 末 倒 置

Pinyin

ben3 mo4 dao4 zhi4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

本ben3root 末mo4tip 倒dao4to fall 置zhi4to install