骑驴觅驴

qí lǘ mì lǘ

  • Meaning

    Literal

    To search for a donkey while one is currently riding atop it

    Usage

    To search for something that one already has; to search for another job because one finds their current one unsatisfactory

  • Connotation

    Neutral

  • Usage Examples

    他拿着钢笔还到处找钢笔,真是骑驴觅驴 | Tā názhe gāngbǐ hái dàochù zhǎo gāngbǐ, zhēnshi qí lǘ mì lǘ
    He looked everywhere for his pencil despite the fact he was holding it in his hand. It really was like looking for a donkey while riding atop it
    [Source]

    红领巾就在你脖子上戴着,还骑驴找驴,真可笑! | Hónglǐngjīn jiù zài nǐ bózi shàng dài zhe, hái qí lǘ zhǎo lǘ, zhēn kěxiào!
    Your red scarf is right around your neck and yet you're looking everywhere for it. Haha!
    [Source]

  • Equivalents

    English

    None

    Chinese

    骑驴找驴 (qí lǘ zhǎo lǘ)

    骑马找马 (qí mǎ zhǎo mǎ)

  • Entry Notes

    None

  • Origin

    《景德传灯录》(Jǐng Dé Chuán Dēng Lù), a work by Sòng (宋, 960-1279) Dynasty writer and monk 释道原 (Shì Dào Yuán)

  • Story

    There once was a man named 王三 (Wáng Sān) who wanted to start a business. When he had enough savings, he went to the local bazaar and bought five donkeys with the goal of selling them for a profit.

    On his trip back to his house, he rode on one of the donkeys. When he'd gone about half way, he paused and counted all of the donkeys to make sure that none had been lost. When he only counted four, he did a double-take, and he counted again. He still only counted four donkeys, so he counted a third time. When he reached the expected amount, and he realized that the first two times he'd forgotten to include the donkey that he was presently riding on.

  • Citations and Helpful Resources

    • 汉语成语小词典 (hànyǔ chéngyǔ xiǎo cídiǎn)
    • 现代汉语规范词典 (xiàndài hànyǔ guīfàn cídiǎn)
    • 多功能成语词典 (duō gōngnéng chéngyǔ cídiǎn)
    • 汉语大词典 (hànyǔ dà cídiǎn)
    • ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary
    • Pleco Basic Chinese-English Dictionary
    • 快懂百科[x]
    • 古诗句网[x]
    • 故事365[x]
    • 瑞文网[x]