只见树木不见森林

zhǐ jiàn shù mù bù jiàn sēn lín

Rare

Save to list

Definitions

1. unable to see the wood for the trees
2. fig. only able to see isolated details, and not the bigger picture

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Child Words of 只见树木不见森林

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 不见 不见 bù jiàn: not to see
• 只 只 zhǐ: only
• 只见 只见 zhǐ jiàn: to see (the same thing) over and over again
• 森林 森林 sēn lín: forest
• 树 树 shù: tree
• 树木 树木 shù mù: tree
• 只 只 zhī: grain that has begun to ripen
• 见 见 jiàn: to see
• 见 见 xiàn: to appear
• 木 木 mù: (bound form) tree
• 林 林 lín: woods
• 森 森 sēn: forest