# 空中楼阁

kōng zhōng lóu gé

A plan without a realistic foundation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A pavilion suspended in the air

**Traditional Chinese:** 空中樓閣

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize unsupported schemes or theories.

Imagination becomes practical when foundations are supplied.

## Understanding the expression

A pavilion needs support beneath it. Suspended in the air, it may look attractive in the imagination but cannot function as a real building. Modern use applies that image to plans or theories lacking evidence, resources, or workable steps. The expression questions the foundation rather than the beauty of the goal. An ambitious idea can move beyond this criticism once someone explains how it connects to actual conditions.

## Examples

没有预算，方案只是空中楼阁。

### Traditional Chinese

沒有預算，方案只是空中樓閣。

méi yǒu yù suàn ， fāng àn zhǐ shì kōng zhōng lóu gé 。

Without a budget, the plan lacks a real foundation.

这套理论缺少数据，是空中楼阁。

### Traditional Chinese

這套理論缺少數據，是空中樓閣。

zhè tào lǐ lùn quē shǎo shù jù ， shì kōng zhōng lóu gé 。

This theory lacks data and rests on nothing.

她把梦想变成计划，不再是空中楼阁。

### Traditional Chinese

她把夢想變成計劃，不再是空中樓閣。

tā bǎ mèng xiǎng biàn chéng jì huà ， bú zài shì kōng zhōng lóu gé 。

She made her dream practical rather than imaginary.

只谈愿景，容易建成空中楼阁。

### Traditional Chinese

只談願景，容易建成空中樓閣。

zhī tán yuàn jǐng ， róng yì jiàn chéng kōng zhōng lóu gé 。

Talking only of a vision can produce an unrealistic scheme.

## 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=%E7%A9%BA%E4%B8%AD%E6%A8%93%E9%96%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=130&webMd=1&la=0)

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