螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后

táng láng bǔ chán , huáng què zài hòu

Save to list

Definitions

1. the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ]); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger

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 $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Child Words of 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后

• 后 后 hòu: empress
• 在 在 zài: to exist; to be alive
• 捕 捕 bǔ: to catch
• 黄 黄 huáng: yellow
• 在后 在后 zài hòu: behind
• 螂 螂 láng: dragonfly
• 螳 螳 táng: praying mantis
• 螳螂 螳螂 táng láng: mantis
• 螳螂捕蝉 螳螂捕蝉 táng láng bǔ chán: the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ]); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger
• 蝉 蝉 chán: cicada
• 雀 雀 qiāo: a freckle
• 雀 雀 què: (bound form) small bird
• 黄雀 黄雀 huáng què: (bird species of China) Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus)