# 不着边际

bù zhuó biān jì

Be irrelevant, unrealistic, or wide of the point

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Not touch the boundary

**Traditional Chinese:** 不著邊際

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize talk disconnected from the issue or reality.

Imagination can be useful when its purpose is clear.

## Understanding the expression

The words fail to reach the edge of the actual subject. The expression describes remarks that wander away from the question, or ideas too detached from reality to be useful. Its criticism is about relevance and grounding rather than unusualness alone. Creative exploration can deliberately move beyond familiar limits. The phrase fits best when that wandering obstructs a practical discussion or is presented as a solution without connecting to the real constraints.

## Examples

他的回答不着边际。

### Traditional Chinese

他的回答不著邊際。

tā de huí dá bù zhuó biān jì 。

His answer missed the point.

别提不着边际的预算。

### Traditional Chinese

別提不著邊際的預算。

bié tí bù zhuó biān jì de yù suàn 。

Do not propose an unrealistic budget.

这场讨论越来越不着边际。

### Traditional Chinese

這場討論越來越不著邊際。

zhè chǎng tǎo lùn yuè lái yuè bù zhuó biān jì 。

This discussion is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

她删掉了不着边际的闲话。

### Traditional Chinese

她刪掉了不著邊際的閒話。

tā shān diào le bù zhuó biān jì de xián huà 。

She removed the irrelevant chatter.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E8%91%97%E9%82%8A%E9%9A%9B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=966&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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