water without source, tree without root; unfounded things
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
things without foundation or basis; unfounded arguments or endeavors
literaryOften used to criticize theories, arguments, or projects that lack practical foundation or support. The structure is parallel, combining two metaphors. Either half (无源之水 or 无本之木) can be used independently with the same meaning.
Tuō脱
lí离
shí实
jiàn践
de的
lǐ理
lùn论
shì是
wú无
yuán源
zhī之
shuǐ水
，
wú无
běn本
zhī之
mù木
。
Theory divorced from practice is like water without a source or a tree without roots.
Méi没
yǒu有
qún群
zhòng众
zhī支
chí持
，
zhè这
xiàng项
gǎi改
gé革
jiù就
chéng成
le了
wú无
yuán源
zhī之
shuǐ水
，
wú无
běn本
zhī之
mù木
。
Without mass support, this reform becomes water without a source or a tree without roots.
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Zhè这
lèi类
wú无
yuán源
zhī之
shuǐ水
，
wú无
běn本
zhī之
mù木
de的
lùn论
diǎn点
，
zài在
xué学
shù术
jiè界
shì是
zhàn站
bù不
zhù住
jiǎo脚
de的
。
Such unfounded arguments cannot stand in academic circles.