只见树木不见森林 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
见 jiàn
HSK 1
see, observe, behold; perceive
树 shù
HSK 3
tree; plant; set up, establish
木 mù
HSK 5
tree; wood, lumber; wooden
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
见 jiàn
HSK 1
see, observe, behold; perceive
森 sēn
HSK 4
forest; luxuriant vegetation
林 lín
HSK 4
forest, grove; surname