無心插柳柳成陰 wú xīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn

(fig.) unintentional actions may bring unexpected success

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. (fig.) unintentional actions may bring unexpected success
  2. 2. lit. idly poke a stick in the mud and it grows into a tree to shade you
  3. 3. also written 無心插柳柳成蔭

Characters

Character Meaning
無 wú
not; no; not to have
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention
插 chā HSK 5
to insert; stick in; pierce
柳 liǔ
willow; surname Liu; old variant of 柳liǔ
柳 liǔ
willow; surname Liu; old variant of 柳liǔ
成 chéng HSK 3
to become; to succeed; to complete
陰 yīn
overcast (weather); cloudy