蜻蜓点水

qīngtíngdiǎnshuǐ

A female dragonfly lays eggs in water with a slight dip of the tail; (figuratively) scratching the surface of a problem without going deep into the substance.

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qing1 ting2 dian3 shui3

lit. the dragonfly touches the water lightly, superficial contact (idiom)

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蜻蜓点水

qīng tíng diǎn shuǐ

like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water -- touch on sth. without going into it deeply; (as) a dragonfly skims the water surface; scratch the surface; touch superficially; use a light touch in writing as dragonfly skims water surface:

做调查工作不能蜻蜓点水， 要深入实际。 To make an investigation one, should go into matters deeply, not just scratch the surface.

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蜻蜓點水|蜻蜓点水 [qīng tíng diǎn shuǐ] ► lit. the dragonfly touches the water lightly ► superficial contact (idiom)