# 望梅止渴

wàng méi zhǐ kě

Soothe a need through imagination

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Look toward plums to relieve thirst

**Register:** Reflective · conversational

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

## When to use it

Use for imagined comfort when the real thing is unavailable.

It often suggests temporary or illusory relief.

## Behind the words

A traditional anecdote describes a thirsty group being told of plum trees ahead. Thinking of sour fruit makes their mouths water.

The imagined plums can stimulate a response, but they do not supply the water or food actually needed. Modern use describes getting temporary comfort from anticipation or imagination when the real thing is unavailable. The expression can be playful, wistful, or critical depending on context. It should not be confused with solving the need itself or taking concrete steps toward a solution.

## Examples

看看旅行照片，只能望梅止渴，等假期再出发。

### Traditional Chinese

看看旅行照片，只能望梅止渴，等假期再出發。

kàn kàn lǚ xíng zhào piàn ， zhǐ néng wàng méi zhǐ kě ， děng jià qī zài chū fā 。

Travel photos can only offer imagined relief; I’ll have to wait for the holiday.

只看旅行照片却无法出门，我只能望梅止渴。

### Traditional Chinese

只看旅行照片卻無法出門，我只能望梅止渴。

zhī kàn lǚ xíng zhào piàn què wú fǎ chū mén ， wǒ zhǐ néng wàng méi zhǐ kě 。

Unable to travel, I can only satisfy the longing by looking at travel photos.

预算还没下来，讨论新设备也只是望梅止渴。

### Traditional Chinese

預算還沒下來，討論新設備也只是望梅止渴。

yù suàn hái méi xià lái ， tǎo lùn xīn shè bèi yě zhǐ shì wàng méi zhǐ kě 。

Until the budget arrives, talking about new equipment can only offer imaginary satisfaction.

他翻看餐厅菜单，暂时望梅止渴，等着晚饭。

### Traditional Chinese

他翻看餐廳菜單，暫時望梅止渴，等著晚飯。

tā fān kàn cān tīng cài dān ， zàn shí wàng méi zhǐ kě ， děng zhe wǎn fàn 。

He browsed the restaurant menu to soothe his appetite while waiting for dinner.

## 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=26&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%9C%9B%E6%A2%85%E6%AD%A2%E6%B8%B4)

## Keep exploring

- [妄自菲薄 wàng zì fěi bó Undervalue oneself without good reason ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-zi-fei-bo)

- [未卜先知 wèi bǔ xiān zhī Seem to know something before it happens ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wei-bu-xian-zhi)

- [温故知新 wēn gù zhī xīn Gain fresh insight by revisiting old knowledge ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wen-gu-zhi-xin)

- [无病呻吟 wú bìng shēn yín Complain without cause or display contrived sentiment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-bing-shen-yin)

## 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 忘恩负义 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-en-fu-yi) [Next idiom 忘年之交 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-nian-zhi-jiao)