可望不可即

kěwàngbùkějí

idiom

Meanings

1 visible but beyond reach
2 can be seen but not approached (of a goal or person)

Characters

look at, see from afar

approach, draw near

Examples

HSK 7-9

这座豪宅对普通人来说可望不可即。

Zhè zuò háozhái duì pǔtōngrén láishuō kěwàngbùkějí.

This mansion is visible but beyond reach for ordinary people.

HSK 7-9

他暗恋的那个女孩可望不可即。

Tā ànliàn de nàge nǚhái kěwàngbùkějí.

The girl he secretly loves is visible but unattainable.

Tips

history

Recorded in Song Yu 宋玉's 《高唐赋》 (Warring States) and later 《楚辞·九辩》. The phrase describes something seen from afar but unreachable. Used today almost interchangeably with 可望而不可即.

usage

即 here = to approach / draw near (classical), not 'that is.' The variant 可望而不可即 / 可望而不可及 is equally common.

Stroke Order

可 kě

望 wàng

不 bù

即 jí