走馬觀花

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Chinese

to ride a horse; to go on horseback; to gallop away
to look at; to watch; to observe
to look at; to watch; to observe; to behold; Taoist monastery
 
flower; blossom; to spend
flower; blossom; to spend; fancy pattern
 
trad. (走馬觀花) 走馬 觀 花
simp. (走马观花) 走马 观 花
alternative forms 走馬看花／走马看花
Literally: “ride on horseback to see flowers”.

Etymology

From the story of Tang-dynasty poet Meng Jiao (孟郊) admiring flowers while riding on horseback, after his success in the imperial examinations at the age of 46. He composed the following poem at the time to express his joy:

昔日齷齪不足誇，今朝放蕩思無涯。春風得意馬蹄疾，一日看盡長安花。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
昔日龌龊不足夸，今朝放荡思无涯。春风得意马蹄疾，一日看尽长安花。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 796 CE, Meng Jiao, 《登科後》 (After Passing the Examination), translation from Scripture in Chinese Chengyu (2010) by James Beasley
Xīrì wòchuò bùzú kuā, jīnzhāo fàngdàng sī wúyá. Chūnfēng déyì mǎtí jí, yīrì kàn jìn Cháng'ān huā.
The reservations of yesterday are nothing to boast about;
Today, feeling unrestrained, my joy is boundless.
The spring breeze kisses my face as the horse picks up speed;
In one day I will see all the flowers and beauties of Chang'an.

Pronunciation

Idiom

走馬觀花

  1. (figurative) to make a hurried and cursory observation; to gain only a superficial understanding of something

Synonyms

Antonyms

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