南轅北轍 nán yuán běi zhé

DEFINITIONS

  1. to act in a way that defeats one's purpose (idiom)

CHARACTERS

南 nán
HSK 3
south; southern part; southward
轅 yuán axle; magistrate's office; surname
北 běi
HSK 1
north; northern; northward
轍 zhé wagon ruts, wheel tracks