刻舟求剑

kè zhōu qiú jiàn

HSK 3.0 Level 7

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Definitions

1. lit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard (idiom); fig. an action made pointless by changed circumstances

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 随机应变 suí jī yìng biàn 随机应变 suí jī yìng biàn to change according to the situation (idiom); pragmatic Acting according to changing circumstances: to change according to the situation (idiom); pragmatic

Related words

3 items

• 守株待兔 shǒu zhū dài tù 守株待兔 shǒu zhū dài tù lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom) Similar idiom meaning rigid adherence to outdated methods: lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom)
• 墨守成规 mò shǒu chéng guī 墨守成规 mò shǒu chéng guī hidebound by convention (idiom) Stubbornly clinging to old rules without adapting: hidebound by convention (idiom)
• 时过境迁 shí guò jìng qiān 时过境迁 shí guò jìng qiān things change with the passage of time (idiom) Things change with the passage of time: things change with the passage of time (idiom)

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't use 刻舟求剑 for gradual change; it specifically criticizes failing to adapt actions to changed conditions, not general nostalgia.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我们不能 刻舟求剑 ，要根据实际情况调整计划。

We must not mark the boat to find the sword; we need to adjust plans according to actual circumstances.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 刻舟求剑

• 刻 刻 kè: quarter (hour)
• 剑 剑 jiàn: double-edged sword
• 求 求 qiú: to seek
• 舟 舟 zhōu: boat