只見樹木不見森林 zhǐ jiàn shù mù bù jiàn sēn lín

DEFINITIONS

  1. unable to see the wood for the trees
  2. fig. only able to see isolated details, and not the bigger picture

CHARACTERS

只 zhǐ
HSK 3
only, just, simply
見 jiàn see, observe, behold; perceive
樹 shù tree; plant; set up, establish
木 mù
HSK 5
tree; wood, lumber; wooden
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
見 jiàn see, observe, behold; perceive
森 sēn
HSK 4
forest; luxuriant vegetation
林 lín
HSK 4
forest, grove; surname