戴盆望天 in English dai4 pen2 wang4 tian1 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) viewing the sky with a basin on one's head; it is hard to get a clear view of the sky while carrying a platter on one's head
  • metaphorically it is hard to get on in one's career while encumbered by family obligations
  • one can't perform a major task while bothered by other duties

Simplified Characters

戴 盆 望 天

Traditional Characters

戴 盆 望 天

Pinyin

dai4 pen2 wang4 tian1

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

戴dai4surname Dai 盆pen2basin 望wang4full moon 天tian1day