治标

治標

zhìbiāo

verb #48,874

Meanings

1 to treat the symptoms
2 to address only the surface of a problem
3 to apply a temporary fix

Characters

surface; symptom; branch

Examples

这样做只能治标，不能治本。

Zhèyàng zuò zhǐ néng zhìbiāo, bù néng zhìběn.

This only treats the symptoms, not the root cause.

止痛药是治标的办法。

Zhǐtòng yào shì zhìbiāo de bànfǎ.

Painkillers are a symptomatic fix.

光盖住味道只是治标。

Guāng gài zhù wèidao zhǐ shì zhìbiāo.

Just covering up the smell is only a surface fix.

Tips

culture

治标 (treat the branch) vs 治本 (treat the root) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine concept that moved into everyday idiom. The full phrase 治标不治本 is the way you'll most often hear it.

Stroke Order

治 zhì

标 biāo