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本末倒置
běnmòdàozhì
1. lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect
2. to stress the incidental over the fundamental
3. to put the cart before the horse

Character Breakdown

本
běn
root, origin, source; basis
HSK 1 5 丶
末
mò
end, final, last; insignificant
HSK 3 5 丶
倒
dào
to collapse, to fall over; to lie down
HSK 4 10 丶
置
zhì
to lay out, to place, to set aside
HSK 5 13 丶

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Category
Chinese