不求甚解

bùqiú-shènjiě

idiom

Meanings

1 to read for the gist
2 content with a superficial understanding

Characters

Examples

HSK 2

学习不能不求甚解，要多问几个为什么。

Xuéxí bù néng bùqiú-shènjiě, yào duō wèn jǐ ge wèishénme.

When you study, don't settle for a vague understanding: keep asking why.

HSK 6

我看小说只图个痛快，不求甚解。

Wǒ kàn xiǎoshuō zhǐ tú ge tòngkuai, bùqiú-shènjiě.

I read novels just for the fun of it, without worrying about every detail.

Tips

history

From 陶渊明's self-portrait 五柳先生传: 好读书，不求甚解, 'he loved to read but did not seek to explain every phrase', reading for delight and the gist. Today it is mostly a criticism of shallow, careless study.

Stroke Order

不 bù

求 qiú

甚 shèn

解 jiě