本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect
  2. to stress the incidental over the fundamental
  3. to put the cart before the horse

CHARACTERS

本 běn
HSK 1
root, origin, source; basis
末 mò
HSK 3
final, last, end; insignificant
倒 dào
HSK 4
fall over; lie down; take turns
置 zhì
HSK 5
place, lay out; set aside