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緣木求魚. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
緣木求魚, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
緣木求魚 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
緣木求魚 you have here. The definition of the word
緣木求魚 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
緣木求魚, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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along; predestined affinity; reason along; predestined affinity; reason; edge |
tree; wood
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to seek; to look for; to request to seek; to look for; to request; to demand; to beseech |
fish
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| trad. (緣木求魚)
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緣
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木
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求
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魚
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| simp. (缘木求鱼)
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缘
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木
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求
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鱼
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| Literally: “to seek for fish in a tree”.
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Etymology
From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王上》):
曰：「殆有甚焉。緣木求魚，雖不得魚，無後災。以若所為，求若所欲，盡心力而為之，後必有災。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
曰：「殆有甚焉。缘木求鱼，虽不得鱼，无后灾。以若所为，求若所欲，尽心力而为之，后必有灾。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Yuē: “Dài yǒu shèn yān. Yuán mù qiú yú, suī bùdé yú, wú hòu zāi. Yǐ ruò suǒ wéi, qiú ruò suǒ yù, jìn xīnlì ér wéi zhī, hòu bì yǒu zāi.”
- "It is even worse," was the reply. "If you climb a tree to seek for fish, although you do not get the fish, you will not suffer any subsequent calamity. But doing what you do to seek for what you desire, doing it moreover with all your heart, you will assuredly afterwards meet with calamities."
Pronunciation
Idiom
緣木求魚
- to pursue an end by impossible or unjustifiable means