What does 瞻前顾后 mean?

瞻前顾后 (zhān qián gù hòu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look ahead and behind”.

How do you pronounce 瞻前顾后?

瞻前顾后 is pronounced zhān qián gù hòu in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 瞻前顾后 literally mean?

Literally, 瞻前顾后 means “Look ahead and look behind”. It is used to mean “to look ahead and behind”.

Where does 瞻前顾后 come from?

瞻前顾后 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 瞻前顾后?

瞻：向前看；顾：回头看。看看前面，又看看后面。形容做事之前考虑周密慎重。也形容顾虑太多，犹豫不决。

瞻前顾后 — “To look ahead and behind”

瞻前顾后 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look ahead and behind”. To consider all aspects meticulously and cautiously before acting. It can also describe someone who is overly cautious and indecisive due to excessive apprehension. Literally, “Look ahead and look behind”.

Frequency

瞻前顾后 Pronunciation and Pinyin

瞻zhān
前qián
顾gù
后hòu

瞻前顾后 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
瞻	zhān	18	look up or forward
前	qián	9	forward, before, previous
顾	gù	10	look back, consider, visit, hire
后	hòu	6	after, behind, empress

Example Sentence with 瞻前顾后

面对一项重要决策，我们需要全面分析，但如果总是瞻前顾后，就可能错失良机。

When facing an important decision, we need to analyze everything thoroughly, but if we are always overly cautious and indecisive, we might miss good opportunities.

Origin and Story of 瞻前顾后

During the Warring States period, Qu Yuan, a gifted poet from the State of Chu, often faced exclusion in political circles. King Huai of Chu disregarded his proposals, causing Qu Yuan immense sorrow.

He channeled his anguish into his poetry. In his famous work, "Li Sao," he wrote: "Only the sagacious and virtuous can be put to good use by a humble official. I look ahead and look behind, observing the people's ultimate plans."

This line reflects his careful consideration and deep concern for the future of the state and its people.

Idioms Related to 瞻前顾后

Synonyms of 瞻前顾后

zuǒ左gù顾yòu右pàn盼glance around proudly

Antonyms of 瞻前顾后

yī一wǎng往zhí直qián前advance courageously and fearlessly

More idioms starting with 瞻

Questions about 瞻前顾后

What does 瞻前顾后 mean?: 瞻前顾后 (zhān qián gù hòu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look ahead and behind”.
How do you pronounce 瞻前顾后?: 瞻前顾后 is pronounced zhān qián gù hòu in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 瞻前顾后 literally mean?: Literally, 瞻前顾后 means “Look ahead and look behind”. It is used to mean “to look ahead and behind”.
Where does 瞻前顾后 come from?: 瞻前顾后 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 瞻前顾后?: 瞻：向前看；顾：回头看。看看前面，又看看后面。形容做事之前考虑周密慎重。也形容顾虑太多，犹豫不决。

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