Proverb / Kotowaza
本末転倒
Mistaking the trivial for the essential or getting one's priorities backwards.
The root and the end are overturned
Quick Answer
Mistaking the trivial for the essential or getting one's priorities backwards.
- Literal Image
- The root and the end are overturned
- How to Use It
- Used when someone focuses so much on a minor detail or means to an end that they lose sight of the original goal, resulting in an outcome opposite to what was intended.
Meaning
It describes a situation where the most important part of a matter is neglected in favor of minor details. This happens when the means to achieve a goal become more important than the goal itself, leading to a counterproductive result where the original purpose is lost.
Literal Image
The root and the end are overturned
How to Use It
Used when someone focuses so much on a minor detail or means to an end that they lose sight of the original goal, resulting in an outcome opposite to what was intended.
Tone
It carries a critical nuance; used to point out that someone has lost sight of the purpose or is acting counterproductively.
Examples
健康のために運動を始めたのに、無理をしすぎて体を壊してしまっては本末転倒だ。
I started exercising for my health, but it would be getting my priorities backwards if I overdid it and ruined my body.
顧客満足度を上げるための施策が、逆に社員の負担を増やし士気を下げてしまっては本末転倒もはなはだしい。
If measures to increase customer satisfaction end up increasing the burden on employees and lowering morale, it is a complete reversal of priorities.
試験勉強のために参考書を買い集めたが、読む時間がなくて手つかずでは本末転倒だ。
I bought many reference books to study for the exam, but it is counterproductive if I have no time to read them and they remain untouched.
子供の教育費を稼ぐために働きすぎ、子供と過ごす時間がなくなっては本末転倒ではないだろうか。
If you work so hard to earn money for your child's education that you lose all time to spend with them, isn't that losing sight of the original purpose?
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual kanji are familiar, the combination as a four-character idiom requires understanding the conceptual reversal of priority.
本
ほん / hon
root; essential part
末
まつ / matsu
end; trivial part
転倒
てんとう / tentou
overturning; reversal
Usage Profile
Usage note: It specifically implies a reversal of priorities, not just a simple mistake.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for every mistake; it only applies when the means or minor details have superseded the main objective.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The term traces back to the organizational structure of Buddhist temples in the Kamakura period. A 'Honzan' (head temple) was the central authority leading its 'Matsuji' (branch temples). Over time, some branch temples grew wealthier and more influential than the head temple, reversing the natural hierarchy. This situation, where the 'branch' (matsu) surpassed the 'root' (hon), became known as 'honmatsu tento' (the root and end are overturned).
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.