走马观花zǒu mǎ guān huāsuperficial understanding from cursory observation

1. 1.

   superficial understanding from cursory observationidiom

2. 2.

   to make a quick judgment based on inadequate informationidiom

Figurative meaning

Superficial understanding from cursory observation; to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information.

Literal meaning

Flower viewing from horseback.

• 走to run
• 马horse
• 观to look at
• 花flower

No attested origin story

走马观花 can take 地 before a verb such as 看 to describe looking at something too quickly.

1. HSK 3

   我们只有一天时间，只能走马观花地看看。

   Wǒmen zhǐ yǒu yì tiān shíjiān, zhǐ néng zǒu mǎ guān huā de kànkan.

   We only have one day, so we can only take a quick look around.

2. HSK 3

   学习不能走马观花，要认真。

   Xuéxí bù néng zǒu mǎ guān huā, yào rènzhēn.

   You can't study superficially; you need to be serious about it.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   你去过北京了吗？

   Nǐ qù guo Běijīng le ma?

   Have you been to Beijing?

2. 
   Speaker B:

   去过，可是只去了两天。

   Qù guo, kěshì zhǐ qù le liǎng tiān.

   Yes, but only for two days.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   两天能看很多地方吗？

   Liǎng tiān néng kàn hěn duō dìfang ma?

   Can you see many places in two days?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   不能，只是走马观花。

   Bù néng, zhǐshì zǒu mǎ guān huā.

   No, it was just a quick look.

1. 1.What does 走马观花 mean?

   ASuperficial understanding from cursory observationBTo ride a horse fastCTo grow flowers
2. 2.Which sentence uses 走马观花 correctly?

   A学习不能走马观花，要认真。B这朵花很走马观花。C我走马观花地睡觉。
3. 3.Which word fits best? 我们只有一天时间，只能____地看看。 (We only have one day, so we can only take a quick look.)

   A自相矛盾B走马观花C打草惊蛇

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