Meaning of 本末転倒 in Japanese
Japanese word definition and usage
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本末転倒, 本末顛倒
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Kana Readingほんまつてんとう
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Romajihonmatsutentō
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Word Senses
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- Parts of speech
- noun (common) (futsuumeishi), noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru, nouns which may take the genitive case particle `no`
- Meaning
- failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
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Example Sentences
本末転倒, 本末顛倒, ほんまつてんとう used in context
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But, if by that, morale drops wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the exercise?
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Persuading my father first is putting the cart before the horse.
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君が自分の仕事ぶりを認められる前に給料の値上げのことをいうと、本末転倒しているのではないかと私は思いたくなる。
When you speak of a pay-raise before recognition, I am inclined to think you are putting the cart before the horse.
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プロポーズもしないうちから、結婚式の計画をするのは、本末転倒だ。
Planning the wedding before proposing is putting the cart before the horse.
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それでは本末転倒だ。
That's reversing the logical order of things.
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You've got your priorities backwards.
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Related Kanji
Kanji found in this word
overthrow, fall, collapse, drop, break down
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
10 strokes
revolve, turn around, change
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
11 strokes
book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things
On: ホン
Kun: もと
5 strokes
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