zhǐ
shàng
tán
bīng

idiom
proverb
common
derogatory

Meaning of 纸上谈兵

纸上谈兵 means to discuss military strategy on paper; to engage in empty theorizing without practical experience. Pronounced zhǐ shàng tán bīng.

  • to discuss military strategy on paper; to engage in empty theorizing without practical experience

Definitions & Examples

men
néng
zhǐ
shàng
tán
bīng
 
shí
kǎo
chá
 

We can't engage in armchair theorizing; we must conduct on-site investigations.

zhǐ
huì
zhǐ
shàng
tán
bīng
 
gēn
běn
méi
yǒu
shí
jīng
yàn
 

He only knows how to talk theory without practical experience.

Zhì
dìng
zhèng
néng
zhǐ
shàng
tán
bīng
 
yào
kǎo
céng
de
shí
qíng
kuàng
 

Policy-making cannot be done in a vacuum; we must consider the actual conditions at the grassroots level.

Bié
guāng
zhǐ
shàng
tán
bīng
 
chū
fāng
àn
lái
 

Don't just talk theory—come up with concrete plans.