本末倒置

běn mò dào zhì

Dictionary entry

lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect

What does 本末倒置 mean?

本末倒置 (běn mò dào zhì) has the following dictionary meaning.

1lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect

2to stress the incidental over the fundamental

3to put the cart before the horse

Character breakdown

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本běn(bound form) root; stem · (bound form) origin; source 末mevariant of 麼|么[me5]倒dǎoto fall; to collapse; to lie horizontally · to fail; to go bankrupt 置zhìto install · to place

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How to pronounce 本末倒置

本末倒置

běn mò dào zhì

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Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.