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临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼
临渊羡鱼

临渊羡鱼 — “To covet something without taking practical steps to achieve it”

临渊羡鱼 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to covet something without taking practical steps to achieve it”. It implies that merely wishing for something is ineffective, and one should instead take practical action. Literally, “To stand by a deep pool and long for fish”.

Frequency

临渊羡鱼 Pronunciation and Pinyin

临渊羡鱼 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
临
lín9to approach or overlook
渊
yuān11deep profound abyss
羡
xiàn12admire and desire
鱼
yú8aquatic vertebrate with gills and fins

Example Sentence with 临渊羡鱼

小明总是梦想着成为一名优秀的程序员,却从不学习编程知识。这不就是临渊羡鱼吗?
Xiao Ming always dreams of becoming an excellent programmer, but he never bothers to learn any programming skills. Isn't that like standing by the deep pool and envying the fish?

Idioms Related to 临渊羡鱼

Synonyms of 临渊羡鱼

  • lín临hé河xiàn羡yú鱼wish for fish without action

More idioms starting with 临

  • lín临shì事zhì制biàn变adapt to changing circumstances
  • lín临shì事ér而jù惧to be cautious when confronting a task
  • lín临jūn军duì对lěi垒confront an adversary in a contested situation
  • lín临jūn军duì对zhèn阵to face the enemy in battle
  • lín临bié别zèng赠yán言parting words of advice
  • lín临bié别zèng赠yǔ语parting words of advice
  • lín临wēi危xià下shí石kick someone when they're down
  • lín临wēi危bù不luàn乱remain calm in danger
  • lín临wēi危bù不jù惧face danger fearlessly
  • lín临wēi危bù不dàn惮fearless in the face of danger
  • lín临wēi危bù不náo挠unyielding in the face of danger
  • lín临wēi危bù不gǒu苟Maintain integrity in the face of danger

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Questions about 临渊羡鱼

What does 临渊羡鱼 mean?

临渊羡鱼 (lín yuān xiàn yú) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to covet something without taking practical steps to achieve it”.

How do you pronounce 临渊羡鱼?

临渊羡鱼 is pronounced lín yuān xiàn yú in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 临渊羡鱼 literally mean?

Literally, 临渊羡鱼 means “to stand by a deep pool and long for fish”. It is used to mean “to covet something without taking practical steps to achieve it”.

What is the Chinese definition of 临渊羡鱼?

渊:深潭;羡:希望得到。意思是站在水边想得到鱼,不如回家去结网。比喻只有愿望而没有措施,对事情毫无好处。

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