治标不治本

治標不治本

zhìbiāo bú zhìběn

phrase

Meanings

1 to treat the symptoms but not the root cause
2 to apply a stopgap that doesn't solve the real problem

Characters

to treat; to cure

branch; symptom

Examples

HSK 5

吃止痛药只是治标不治本。

Chī zhǐtòngyào zhǐshì zhìbiāo bú zhìběn.

Taking painkillers only treats the symptoms, not the cause.

HSK 7-9

光靠罚款治理交通拥堵是治标不治本，关键还得多修地铁。

Guāng kào fákuǎn zhìlǐ jiāotōng yōngdǔ shì zhìbiāo bú zhìběn, guānjiàn hái děi duō xiū dìtiě.

Relying on fines alone to fight traffic jams is only a stopgap; the key is to build more subway lines.

Tips

history

An idea from traditional Chinese medicine: 标 "the branch" is the visible symptom and 本 "the root" is the underlying cause. Doctors and policymakers alike aim for 标本兼治 "treating both".

Stroke Order

治 zhì

标 biāo

不 bù

本 běn