本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì

to reverse priorities; confuse cause and effect

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 40917th word

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
本 běn HSK 1
this; the current; original
末 mò HSK 3
end; latter part; final stage
倒 dào HSK 4
to pour; however; contrary to expectation
置 zhì HSK 5
to put; to place; to buy