nán南southyuán辕carriage shaftběi北northzhé辙wheel track
To act in a way that defeats one's purpose; to go south by driving the chariot north; to run in the opposite direction.
Literal meaning
south (南) — carriage shaft (辕) — north (北) — wheel track (辙)
Origin
This idiom comes from the *Warring States Period* and describes someone who wants to go south but drives their chariot north, illustrating the futility of acting contrary to one's goals.
Examples
Rú如guǒ果fāng方xiàng向cuò错le了，zài再nǔ努lì力yě也shì是nán南yuán辕běi北zhé辙。
If the direction is wrong, no matter how hard you try, it will be counterproductive.
Tā de zuòfǎ jiǎnzhí shì nányuánběizhé, gēnběn bù kěnéng chénggōng.他的做法简直是南辕北辙，根本不可能成功。
His approach is completely counterproductive and will never succeed.
Usage & nuances
Highlights the importance of having the right direction and strategy to achieve one's goals.
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