舍本逐末

捨本逐末

shěběn-zhúmò

idiom

Meanings

1 to abandon the root and chase the branches
2 to focus on trivia instead of essentials
3 to get priorities backwards

Characters

root, fundamentals

branch tip, trivia

Examples

HSK 5

只追求分数而忽视能力，是舍本逐末。

Zhǐ zhuīqiú fēnshù ér hūshì nénglì, shì shěběn-zhúmò.

Chasing grades while ignoring ability is getting priorities backwards.

HSK 5

写作要抓住主题，不要舍本逐末。

Xiězuò yào zhuāzhù zhǔtí, búyào shěběn-zhúmò.

Stick to the main theme when writing; don't get lost in trivia.

Tips

history

From 《汉书·食货志》: 弃本逐末 - originally criticizing farmers abandoning farming (本, the root) to pursue commerce (末, the branches). Now used for any misplaced priorities.

Stroke Order

舍 shě

本 běn

逐 zhú

末 mò