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适得其反

適得其反
shìdéqífǎn
idiom #25,852

Meanings

  1. 1 to produce the opposite of the desired result
  2. 2 to backfire
  3. 3 counterproductive

Examples

他的批评非但没有帮助，反而适得其反。
Tā de pīpíng fēidàn méiyǒu bāngzhù, fǎn'ér shìdéqífǎn.
His criticism not only failed to help but backfired entirely.
过度保护孩子往往适得其反。
Guòdù bǎohù háizi wǎngwǎng shìdéqífǎn.
Overprotecting children often produces the opposite of the intended effect.

Tips

memory
适 means to fit/suit, 得 means to obtain, 其 means its, 反 means opposite — you aimed for a fit result but got its opposite instead.

Stroke Order

适 shì
得 dé
其 qí
反 fǎn