Word details

本末転倒

Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word 本末転倒.

Dictionary

Entry

本末転倒ほんまつてんとう本末顛倒本末顚倒NounIntransitive~する Verb四字熟語Freq #15429
1

putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the means for the end; getting one's priorities backwards

Examples
あなたの言っていることは本末転倒だと思わないかい?
Don't you think you're putting the cart before the horse?

Character notes

Kanji in this Word

本

book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

5 strokesFrequency 10JLPT N4Grade 1

On

ホン

Kun

もと

Nanori

まとごう
末

end, close, tip, powder, posterity

5 strokesFrequency 456JLPT N2Grade 4

On

マツバツ

Kun

すえうらうれ
転

revolve, turn around, change

11 strokesFrequency 327JLPT N3Grade 3

On

テン

Kun

ころ.がるころ.げるころ.がすころ.ぶまろ.ぶうたたうつ.るくる.めく
倒

overthrow, fall, collapse, drop, break down

10 strokesFrequency 791JLPT N2Grade 8

On

トウ

Kun

たお.れる-だお.れたお.すさかさまさかささかしま
顛

overturn, summit, origin

19 strokes

On

テン

Kun

いただきたお.れる
顚

top, peak, summit, upset

19 strokesGrade 9

On

テン

Kun

いただ.きたお.れる

Vocabulary quiz

Build your vocabulary

Add words to your personal quiz list and practice recall with the words you actually look up.

Start Word Quiz