蜻蜓点水 Dragonfly skimming water
Explanation
比喻做事肤浅不深入。
It's used to describe doing things superficially and without depth.
Origin Story
唐代诗人杜甫在曲江游玩时，看到蜻蜓在水面上轻轻点水，便写下了名句“点水蜻蜓款款飞”。这句诗后来成为成语“蜻蜓点水”的来源，用来比喻做事不深入、不彻底。唐肃宗时期，杜甫曾担任左拾遗，因直言敢谏而被皇帝疏远。他心怀忧虑，来到曲江散心，目睹了这美丽的景象，诗中也包含了他对政治局势的隐喻。他希望自己能够像蜻蜓一样，以细致入微的方式观察社会，了解民情，但又担心自己会被卷入复杂的政治斗争，最终只能选择轻轻点水，暂时避开锋芒。这个故事体现了杜甫复杂的情感和政治智慧。他渴望为国家做出贡献，却也谨慎地保护自己，避免成为政治斗争的牺牲品。因此，“蜻蜓点水”不仅描绘了自然景象，也反映了诗人的人生态度和政治立场。
During a visit to Qujiang Pool, the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu observed dragonflies gently touching the water's surface and penned the famous line "点水蜻蜓款款飞" (diǎnshuǐ qīngtíng kuǎnkuǎn fēi). This verse later became the origin of the idiom "蜻蜓点水" (qīngtíng diǎnshuǐ), which is used to describe doing things superficially or incompletely. During the reign of Emperor Tang Suzong, Du Fu served as a court official, but he was alienated by the emperor due to his outspokenness. Worried, he sought solace at Qujiang Pool. Upon seeing the dragonflies, he used the imagery in his poem as a metaphor for the political situation. He wished to observe society with a microscopic view, but also feared involvement in political struggles, thus choosing a light touch and temporarily avoiding conflict. This story reveals Du Fu’s complex emotions and political wisdom. His desire to contribute clashed with his need to remain safe. Therefore, “蜻蜓点水” not only describes a natural scene but also reflects the poet's attitude towards life and political views.
Usage
常用作谓语、宾语、定语；比喻做事不深入，不彻底。
Often used as a predicate, object, or attributive; to describe superficial and incomplete actions.
Examples
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他学习浮光掠影，蜻蜓点水，没有深入钻研。
ta xuexi fuguanghuoying, qingtingdianshui, meiyou shenru zuanyan. zhezhong zuofa zhishi qingtingdianshui, meiyou chuji wenti de shizhi
His study is superficial, just skimming the surface.
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这种做法只是蜻蜓点水，没有触及问题的实质。
This approach is merely superficial and doesn't address the root of the problem.