# 对症下药

duì zhèng xià yào

Choose a remedy that fits the problem

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Prescribe medicine for the symptoms

**Traditional Chinese:** 對症下藥

**Register:** Practical · conversational

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use for a targeted response to a clearly identified cause.

It is often figurative; it is not specific medical advice.

## Behind the words

The medical image matches a remedy to the condition. It developed into a broad metaphor for solving a problem appropriately.

The medical image connects an appropriate treatment with understanding the condition. In figurative use, it encourages choosing a response that addresses the actual cause of a problem. It does not mean applying the same solution to every difficulty. Outside medicine, the phrase works naturally for management, learning, repair, and communication.

## Examples

先找出沟通的问题，才能对症下药。

### Traditional Chinese

先找出溝通的問題，才能對症下藥。

xiān zhǎo chū gōu tōng de wèn tí ， cái néng duì zhèng xià yào 。

First identify the communication problem, then choose a response that actually fits.

先弄清楚客户为什么流失，才能对症下药。

### Traditional Chinese

先弄清楚客戶為什麼流失，才能對症下藥。

xiān nòng qīng chǔ kè hù wèi shén me liú shī ， cái néng duì zhèng xià yào 。

We must understand why customers leave before choosing a fitting remedy.

设备故障原因找到了，维修就可以对症下药。

### Traditional Chinese

設備故障原因找到了，維修就可以對症下藥。

shè bèi gù zhàng yuán yīn zhǎo dào le ， wéi xiū jiù kě yǐ duì zhèng xià yào 。

Once the cause of the equipment fault is identified, repairs can target it.

解决沟通问题，不能只开会，要对症下药。

### Traditional Chinese

解決溝通問題，不能只開會，要對症下藥。

jiě jué gōu tōng wèn tí ， bù néng zhī kāi huì ， yào duì zhèng xià yào 。

Solving a communication problem takes a targeted response rather than simply holding more meetings.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=277&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%B0%8D%E7%97%87%E4%B8%8B%E8%97%A5)

## Keep exploring

- [多多益善 duō duō yì shàn The more, the better ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/duo-duo-yi-shan)

- [繁文缛节 fán wén rù jié Be burdened by unnecessarily elaborate formalities ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/fan-wen-ru-jie)

- [防微杜渐 fáng wēi dù jiàn Stop a small problem before it grows ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/fang-wei-du-jian)

- [釜底抽薪 fǔ dǐ chōu xīn Remove the underlying cause of a problem ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/fu-di-chou-xin)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 对牛弹琴 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/dui-niu-tan-qin) [Next idiom 咄咄逼人 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/duo-duo-bi-ren)