走馬看花
简 走马看花 · 繁 走馬看花Meanings
- lit. flower viewing from horseback (idiom); fig. superficial understanding from cursory observation
- to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information
Characters in this entry
Explore the spelling
Mandarin tones
3–3–4–1 · zou3 ma3 kan4 hua1
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
Connected dictionary
Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
走馬看花 · find source passages ↗ · 走马看花 · find source passages ↗
Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 2 senses · 1 Cantonese reading
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
zau2 maa5 hon3 faa1
Cantonese word readings for 走馬看花. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack
Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
phrase
- (idiomatic) A feeling of elation when one's ambition is fulfilled or while traveling
- (figuratively, derogatory) to look roughly and hastily, without being able to get a good look at things
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack