Chinese word

有的放矢

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu dì fàng shǐ

Meaning

  • idiomhave a clear aim

Example

写报告时要有的放矢，不要写很多无关内容。xiě bào gào shí yào yǒu dì fàng shǐ bú yào xiě hěn duō wú guān nèi róng

When writing a report, have a clear aim and do not include lots of irrelevant content.

Illustration for 有的放矢 (have a clear aim)

More examples

作为老师，评语要有的放矢，既指出问题又给出改进方法。zuò wéi lǎo shī píng yǔ yào yǒu dì fàng shǐ jì zhǐ chū wèn tí yòu gěi chū gǎi jìn fāng fǎ

As a teacher, your comments should have a clear aim: they should point out problems and offer ways to improve.

Core concept

Words or actions travel toward a defined target and land on the important point.

Common phrases

  • 有的放矢地批评yǒu dì fàng shǐ dì pī píng

    criticize with a clear aim

  • 讲话要有的放矢jiǎng huà yào yǒu dì fàng shǐ

    speak to the point

Similar words

切中要害qiè zhòng yào hài: Getting straight to the key part of a matter.
对症下药duì zhèng xià yào: Using a response that fits the specific problem.
一针见血yì zhēn jiàn xiě: Stating the central problem clearly and briefly.

Definition in Chinese

用于形容言语或行动切中要点、目标明确且有针对性，常用于评价建议或论述的效果。yòng yú xíng róng yán yǔ huò xíng dòng qiè zhòng yào diǎn mù biāo míng què qiě yǒu zhēn duì xìng cháng yòng yú píng jià jiàn yì huò lùn shù de xiào guǒ

Word origin

有的放矢 (yǒudìfàngshǐ, "have a target and shoot an arrow") centers on 有 (yǒu, "have") + 的 (dì, "target") and 放 (fàng, "release") + 矢 (shǐ, "arrow"), an arrow shot with a chosen target.

Usage tips

  • For general conversation, this idiom is a polished way to praise advice, questions, or discussion that stays focused, especially when English "aim" might suggest only a future goal.

Other meanings

  • be to the pointidiom

Opposites

  • 漫无目的màn wú mù dìaimlessidiom

Word lists with this word