緣木求魚 yuán mù qiú yú

try the impossible; use the wrong method

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. climb a tree to catch a fish (idiom); fig. to attempt the impossible

Characters

Character Meaning
緣 yuán
fate; predestined affinity; reason
木 mù HSK 5
tree; wood; wooden
求 qiú HSK 3
to seek; to look for; to request
魚 yú
fish; surname Yu