纸上谈兵 zhǐshàng-tánbīng literally military tactics on paper (idiom)
literally military tactics on paper (idiom); figuratively theoretical discussion that is worse than useless in practice; armchair strategist; idle theorizing; cf Zhao Kuo 赵括 leading an army of 400,000 to total annihilation at battle of Changping 长平之战 in 260 BC
How to remember 纸上谈兵: 纸 paper + 上 above + 谈 talk over + 兵 soldier = literally military tactics on paper (idiom).
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How it is used
- 'Discussing warfare on paper' - empty theorizing detached from reality: 这只是纸上谈兵 (zhè zhǐshì zhǐshàng-tánbīng) this is just armchair theorizing.
- Derogatory; used to dismiss plans or advice from someone with no hands-on experience.
- Contrast with 实践 (shíjiàn, practice), which the idiom implicitly demands.