Word information
Simplified按图索骥
Traditional按圖索驥
Pinyinàn tú suǒ jì
Part of speechDictionary
HSK 3.0Not listed
HSK 2.0Not listed
Chinese word dictionary
按图索骥
àn tú suǒ jì · lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiom); fig. to do things along rigid, conventional lines; to try and find sth with the help of a clue
Character breakdown
Study each Hanzi separately, then return to the complete word so pronunciation, meaning, and movement stay connected.
How to learn 按图索骥
Listen once without reading, repeat the pinyin with its tones, then write every character in sequence. Finally, recall the complete meaning instead of memorizing each character as an isolated translation.
When the word appears in a sentence, check whether its part of speech and meaning match the definition shown here. Chinese words can change nuance with context.
Related vocabulary
Words with the same characters
Compare how a familiar Hanzi changes meaning inside another word.
地图dìtú
map; CL:張|张[zhang1],本[ben3]
图书馆túshūguǎnlibrary; CL:家[jia1],個|个[ge4]
按ànto press; to push; to leave aside or shelve; to control; to restrain; to keep one's hand on; to check or refer to; according to; in the light of; (of an editor or author) to make a comment
按时ànshíon time; before deadline; on schedule
按照ànzhàoaccording to; in accordance with; on the basis of
图túdiagram; picture; drawing; chart; map; CL:張|张[zhang1]; to plan; to scheme; to attempt; to pursue; to seek