适得其反
shì dé qí fǎn
Producing opposite results · trad. 適得其反
Actions intended to achieve a certain goal instead produce the exact opposite or an undesirable outcome. People often use it to describe efforts that backfire, making a situation worse than before.
What does 适得其反 (shì dé qí fǎn) mean?
适得其反 (shì dé qí fǎn) means "producing opposite results" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "just getting its opposite."
Character by character
- 适 shì appropriate, suitable
- 得 dé obtain, achieve
- 其 qí its, his, her
- 反 fǎn opposite, contrary
When to use it
Applies to situations where an attempt to improve something or achieve a positive result inadvertently leads to a negative or counterproductive effect. It is often used to criticize a method or approach that is clearly ineffective or misguided, highlighting its detrimental impact.
Example
你这种做法只能适得其反,使事态越变越糟。
Nǐ zhèzhǒng zuòfǎ zhǐnéng shì dé qí fǎn, shǐ shìtài yuè biàn yuèzāo.
Your approach will only backfire, making the situation worse and worse.
Pro tip: Often implies a strong sense of irony or frustration, as the outcome is precisely what one tried to avoid.
Related idioms
人山人海 · Vast crowds of people神机妙算 · Divine foresight and clever strategy实话实说 · Speaking the honest truth
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