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纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) is a Chinese word: armchair strategy; to be an armchair strategist. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 纸上谈兵

成语 chéng yǔ idiom

armchair strategy; to be an armchair strategist

不要纸上谈兵，应该多实践。

bù yào zhǐ shàng tán bīng yīng gāi duō shí jiàn

Don't be an armchair strategist; you should practice more.

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Word breakdown

纸 zhǐ — paper (representing theoretical/written work)

Words with this character (5)

上 shàng — on (indicates the location where discussion happens)

Words with this character (57)
Show more (+52)

谈 tán — discuss, talk about (theoretical discussion)

Words with this character (12)
  • 1 谈话 tán huà — talk HSK 5
    • 谈 to discuss, to speak
    • 话 words, speech, conversation
    Example

    我想和你谈话。

    wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ tán huà

    I want to talk with you.

  • 2 交谈 jiāo tán — to converse HSK 6
    • 交 mutual, exchange (indicates reciprocal interaction)
    • 谈 talk, speak (the core action of conversing)
    Example

    他们在公园里交谈了很久。

    tā men zài gōng yuán lǐ jiāo tán le hěn jiǔ

    They conversed in the park for a long time.

  • 3 访谈 fǎng tán — interview HSK 6
    • 访 to visit, to call on
    • 谈 to talk, to discuss
    Example

    记者访谈了许多专家。

    jì zhě fǎng tán le xǔ duō zhuān jiā

    The journalist interviewed many experts.

  • 4 谈判 tán pàn — negotiate HSK 6
    • 谈 talk, discuss
    • 判 judge, decide
    Example

    两国正在谈判贸易协议。

    liǎng guó zhèng zài tán pàn mào yì xié yì

    The two countries are negotiating a trade agreement.

  • 5 谈论 tán lùn — discuss HSK 6
    • 谈 talk, speak
    • 论 discuss, discourse
    Example

    大家都在谈论昨天的新闻。

    dà jiā dōu zài tán lùn zuó tiān de xīn wén

    Everyone is discussing yesterday's news.

Show more (+7)
  • 6 会谈 huì tán — to hold talks HSK 7
    • 会 to meet, gathering
    • 谈 to talk, to discuss
    Example

    两国领导人将在下周会谈。

    liǎng guó lǐng dǎo rén jiāng zài xià zhōu huì tán

    The leaders of the two countries will hold talks next week.

  • 7 侃侃而谈 kǎn kǎn ér tán — speak confidently and fluently HSK 7
    • 侃 confident and forthright (when duplicated, emphasizes fluency)
    • 侃 confident and forthright (duplication emphasizes fluency)
    • 而 connective particle linking manner and action
    • 谈 to speak, to talk
    Example

    面对记者的提问，他侃侃而谈，毫不紧张。

    miàn duì jì zhě de tí wèn tā kǎn kǎn ér tán háo bù jǐn zhāng

    Facing the reporters' questions, he spoke confidently and fluently, not nervous at all.

  • 8 夸夸其谈 kuākuā qítán — boast and exaggerate; indulge in empty talk HSK 7
    • 夸 to boast, to exaggerate
    • 夸 repetition for emphasis on boastfulness
    • 其 one's (possessive)
    • 谈 talk, speech
    Example

    他总是夸夸其谈，从不实际行动。

    tā zǒng shì kuākuā-qítán cóng bù shí jì xíng dòng

    He always boasts and exaggerates, never taking actual action.

  • 9 座谈 zuò tán — have a symposium HSK 7
    • 座 seat; indicates a formal, organized setting
    • 谈 talk; the action of discussing
    Example

    老师和学生座谈，了解他们的想法。

    lǎo shī hé xué shēng zuò tán liǎo jiě tā men de xiǎng fǎ

    The teacher and students had a symposium to understand their thoughts.

  • 10 洽谈 qià tán — to negotiate HSK 7
    • 洽 harmonious agreement
    • 谈 to talk, to discuss
    Example

    公司派我去北京洽谈业务。

    gōng sī pài wǒ qù Běi jīng qià tán yè wù

    The company sent me to Beijing to negotiate business.

  • 11 畅谈 chàng tán — to talk freely, to have a frank discussion HSK 7
    • 畅 unobstructed, freely, smoothly
    • 谈 to talk, to discuss
    Example

    我们在咖啡馆畅谈了一下午。

    wǒ men zài kā fēi guǎn chàng tán le yī xià wǔ

    We talked freely at the café all afternoon.

  • 12 谈及 tán jí — to mention HSK 7
    • 谈 talk, speak, discuss
    • 及 reach, touch upon, extend to
    Example

    他在演讲中谈及了环境保护问题。

    tā zài yǎn jiǎng zhōng tán jí le huán jìng bǎo hù wèn tí

    He mentioned environmental protection issues in his speech.

兵 bīng — military strategy, warfare (the subject of discussion)

Words with this character (2)
Structure & writing
1 纸 zhǐ — paper, usually made from plant fibers

纸 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 纟 sī — silk/thread radical
纟 is a component in 67 characters
HSK 1
给 gěi to give; to hand over to someone
HSK 2
红 hóng red (color like fresh blood) 绍 shào to continue, to carry on 绿 lǜ green (color, like flourishing grass and leaves, mixed from blue and yellow)
HSK 3
级 jí rank; grade; level 纸 zhǐ paper, usually made from plant fibers 练 liàn (lit.) white processed silk 终 zhōng end result; conclusion (opposite of 始) 结 jié to tie a knot in rope, thread, or strip of cloth; to weave by knotting
Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)
绩 jì to twist hemp fibers into thread
HSK 4
约 yuē to propose or discuss (something mutually binding) 纪 jì rules; regulations; discipline 线 xiàn thread; yarn made of silk, cotton, hemp, etc., used for sewing or knitting 组 zǔ to combine, to form 细 xì thin (of a rod-like object, opposite of 粗)
Show more HSK 4 characters (+2)
绝 jué to sever; to cut off 续 xù to connect; to continue
HSK 5
纷 fēn numerous and disorderly 织 zhī to weave (cloth or garments from silk, hemp, cotton, wool, etc.) 绕 rào to wind around; to coil around 络 luò something resembling a net 统 tǒng in total; all together; entirely
Show more HSK 5 characters (+5)
绪 xù the beginning or starting point of something (originally the end of a silk thread) 维 wéi to connect; to tie 综 zōng to summarize; to bring together 缓 huǎn slow; unhurried (opposite of 急) 缩 suō to shrink; to become smaller, shorter, or fewer
HSK 6
纠 jiū to entangle; to twist around 纯 chún pure; free from impurities 纳 nà to take in; to bring in 绒 róng soft, fine hair or down 绘 huì to draw or paint (a picture)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+1)
编 biān to weave or braid (with strips or strands)
HSK 7
纤 xiān slender; delicate; fine 纬 wěi weft; horizontal threads in woven fabric (opposite of 经) 纱 shā yarn spun from cotton, hemp, etc., used to twist into thread or weave into cloth 纲 gāng the main rope of a fishing net; the key or essential part of something (often referring to documents or speeches) 纵 zòng north-south in direction (opposite of '横')
Show more HSK 7 characters (+29)
纹 wén pattern or design on silk fabric; decorative pattern or texture in general 纺 fǎng to spin (cotton, hemp, silk, wool, etc. into yarn or thread) 纽 niǔ handle or loop on an object for lifting or hanging 绅 shēn wide sash worn over the outer garment by ancient scholar-officials 绊 bàn to trip or entangle, impeding movement; to tie someone down so they cannot get away 绑 bǎng to tie up; to bind with rope or cord 绞 jiǎo to twist two or more strands together; to entangle 绣 xiù to embroider (patterns or characters onto fabric using colored thread) 绯 fēi crimson; scarlet 绰 chuò (lit.) ample; spacious; having plenty to spare 绳 shéng rope; cord (twisted from two or more strands of cotton, hemp, palm fibre, grass, etc.) 绵 mián silk floss; raw silk wadding used for padding clothing and quilts 绷 bēng to pull taut; to stretch tight 绸 chóu silk fabric; thin and soft silk textile 绽 zhàn to split open; to burst 缀 zhuì to sew together; to stitch 缅 miǎn distant; far away 缆 lǎn thick rope or iron chain for mooring a ship; heavy cable made of twisted strands 缉 jī to search for; to pursue and arrest 缔 dì to conclude; to establish (a treaty or agreement) 缕 lǚ thread; strand 缘 yuán reason; cause 缚 fù to bind; to tie up 缝 féng to sew; to stitch together with needle and thread 缠 chán to wind around, to wrap around 缤 bīn abundant and varied (as in "缤纷") 缴 jiǎo to hand in or pay (especially when fulfilling an obligation or under compulsion) 蕴 yùn (lit.) to contain; to accumulate 辫 biàn braid; plait of hair woven from divided strands
1.2 氏 shì — clan name; in ancient times distinguished from surname (姓), later the two merged and became interchangeable
氏 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 3
纸 zhǐ paper, usually made from plant fibers
HSK 7
昏 hūn dusk; twilight

Stroke order

2 上 shàng — upper; high position (opposite of 下); ① preceding in order ② higher in rank or quality
上 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 2
让 ràng yield; give way to others when both parties need something
HSK 3
卡 kǎ truck; large freight vehicle 叔 shū father's younger brother; also a form of address for a man of the same generation as one's father but younger and unrelated (can be reduplicated)
HSK 4
戚 qi

上 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

3 谈 tán — to speak or discuss

谈 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

3.1 讠 yán — speech/language radical
讠 is a component in 75 characters
HSK 1
认 rèn to recognize; to distinguish 识 shí to know; to recognize; to distinguish 话 huà speech; spoken words; language 语 yǔ speech; words 说 shuō to express in words; to speak
Show more HSK 1 characters (+5)
请 qǐng to request; to ask 读 dú to read aloud following written text 课 kè schoolwork; planned segmented instruction 谁 shéi who (interrogative pronoun) 谢 xiè to thank (reduplicated for emphasis)
HSK 2
让 ràng yield; give way to others when both parties need something 记 jì to memorize; to remember 诉 sù to tell, to express fully and unreservedly 词 cí word (the smallest free-standing unit of language, e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) 试 shì to try; to attempt; to test informally
HSK 3
议 yì to discuss; to deliberate 讲 jiǎng to speak; to talk 该 gāi should; ought to 调 tiáo well-proportioned; harmonious
HSK 4
计 jì to calculate; to reckon 订 dìng to correct, to revise (errors in text) 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops 许 xǔ to permit; to allow 论 lùn to analyze and judge the reasoning of things
Show more HSK 4 characters (+8)
证 zhèng to prove or verify with people, objects, or facts 评 píng critical comment or review article 诚 chéng sincere, genuine (of one's heart or intentions) 详 xiáng detailed and thorough (opposite of 略) 误 wù wrong; erroneous 谅 liàng to understand and forgive 谈 tán to speak or discuss 谊 yì friendship; friendly relations
HSK 5
罚 fá to punish someone for a mistake or crime 训 xùn to teach; to admonish 设 shè to arrange; to set up 访 fǎng to inquire; to investigate by questioning 诊 zhěn to examine a patient (to diagnose an illness)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+3)
诗 shī poetry; poem (a literary form expressing emotion through rhythmic language) 询 xún to inquire, to seek opinions 谨 jǐn cautious; careful
HSK 6
讯 xùn to inquire 讶 yà (lit.) to be surprised; to wonder at 诞 dàn to be born; to give birth 诸 zhū all, many, various 诺 nuò an exclamation of agreement, similar to 'yes' or 'okay'
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
谐 xié harmonious; well-coordinated 谓 wèi to say; to tell 谦 qiān humble, modest
HSK 7
狱 yù prison; jail 蔼 ǎi friendly, amiable 讥 jī to mock, to satirize 讳 huì to avoid mentioning; to taboo speaking of something 讹 é erroneous; untrue
Show more HSK 7 characters (+22)
讼 sòng to litigate; to take a case to court 讽 fěng to satirize, mock, or admonish with cutting innuendo 诀 jué mnemonic rhyme or phrase summarizing key points of a subject 诈 zhà to deceive; to swindle 诠 quán to explain; to interpret 诡 guǐ deceitful, cunning 诧 chà to be astonished; to feel surprised 诫 jiè to warn; to admonish 诬 wū to falsely accuse; to slander with fabricated facts 诱 yòu to guide; to counsel 诵 sòng read aloud; recite with intonation 诽 fěi to slander; to speak ill of others without basis 谋 móu plan; stratagem; scheme 谍 dié (lit.) to secretly gather intelligence on military, political, or economic matters 谎 huǎng lie; falsehood 谜 mí riddle; enigmatic puzzle phrased in words for guessing 谣 yáo folk song; improvised rhyme sung without accompaniment 谤 bàng (lit.) to denounce and publicize others' faults 谬 miù erroneous; mistaken 谱 pǔ a chart, table, or book compiled by category or system 谴 qiǎn to reproach; to reprimand 辩 biàn to debate; to argue about right and wrong or truth and falsehood
3.2 炎 yán — extremely hot (of weather)
炎 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 4
谈 tán to speak or discuss
HSK 5
淡 dàn dilute; thin (of liquid or gas, opposite of 浓)
HSK 7
毯 tǎn blanket; thick woven fabric with a fluffy pile 痰 tán phlegm; mucus secreted by the lungs and airways

Stroke order

4 兵 bīng — weapon; arms
兵 is a component in 1 characters
HSK 3
宾 bīn guest (opposite of "主" host)

consists of

4.1 丘 qiū — small hill; mound
丘 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 4
乒 pīng onomatopoeia for a gunshot or the sound of objects colliding 乓 pāng onomatopoeia for gunshots, slamming doors, or crashing sounds
HSK 6
兵 bīng weapon; arms
HSK 7
岳 yuè a tall, majestic mountain
4.2 八 bā — eight (the number after seven)
八 is a component in 20 characters
HSK 1
公 gōng public; belonging to the state or collective (opposite of '私') 兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 分 fēn to divide; to separate (opposite of 合) 只 zhǐ only; nothing else besides 真 zhēn real; genuine (corresponding to objective facts)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 典 diǎn norm; rule; standard 办 bàn to handle; to deal with 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually
HSK 4
具 jù tool; utensil; implement
HSK 5
傻 shǎ foolish, stupid
HSK 6
兵 bīng weapon; arms 梁 liáng beam; horizontal load-bearing timber or structural member
HSK 7
兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 叭 ba 扒 bā to grip; to hold on to 柬 jiǎn general term for letters, cards, and invitations 睦 mù harmonious; amicable
Show more HSK 7 characters (+2)
穴 xué cave; pit or hole in the ground or a structure 趴 pā to lie face down

Stroke order