纸上谈兵

zhǐ shàng tán bīng

HSK 7–9

Meaning

lit. military tactics on paper (idiom)
fig. theoretical discussion that is worse than useless in practice
armchair strategist
idle theorizing
cf Zhao Kuo 趙括|赵括[Zhao4 Kuo4] leading an army of 400,000 to total annihilation at battle of Changping 長平之戰|长平之战[Chang2 ping2 zhi1 Zhan4] in 260 BC

在纸面上谈论打仗。比喻空谈理论，不能解决实际问题。

Talk about fighting on paper. Metaphor for empty talk that cannot solve practical problems.

用于批评那些只会空谈理论而缺乏实践经验的人或做法。

Used to criticize people or practices that only talk about theory but lack practical experience.

1 他提出的计划完全不考虑实际情况，简直是纸上谈兵。 (The plan he proposed completely ignores the actual situation; it's nothing but armchair strategy.)
2 理论学习很重要，但不能纸上谈兵，必须结合实际操作。 (Theoretical study is important, but we cannot just talk on paper; we must combine it with practical operation.)
3 这个方案虽然听起来不错，但缺乏可行性，纯粹是纸上谈兵。 (Although this plan sounds good, it lacks feasibility and is purely armchair strategy.)
4 与其纸上谈兵，不如亲身实践一下。 (Instead of talking on paper, it's better to practice in person.)
5 管理者如果只懂纸上谈兵，很难带领团队取得成功。 (If managers only know how to talk on paper, it's hard for them to lead the team to success.)

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