南辕北辙 nán yuán běi zhé

HSK 6

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

南 nán
HSK 3
south; southern part; southward
辕 yuán
HSK 6
axle; magistrate's office; surname
北 běi
HSK 1
north; northern; northward
辙 zhé
HSK 6
wagon ruts, wheel tracks