qīng蜻dragonflytíng蜓dragonflydiǎn点touchshuǐ水water
To touch on a subject lightly; to skim the surface; superficial.
Literal meaning
dragonfly (蜻) — dragonfly (蜓) — touch (点) — water (水)
Origin
Describes the light, brief touch of a dragonfly's tail on the surface of water. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
tā他zhī只shì是qīng蜻tíng蜓diǎn点shuǐ水de地tí提le了yī一xià下zhè这ge个wèn问tí题。
He only touched on the problem lightly.
zhè这ge个bào报gào告zhī只shì是qīng蜻tíng蜓diǎn点shuǐ水，méi没yǒu有shēn深rù入fēn分xī析。
This report only skims the surface and does not provide in-depth analysis.
Usage & nuances
Often used negatively to describe a lack of thoroughness or depth.
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