expression

Proverb.
  1. to not see the wood for the trees, to be caught up with trivial matters and lose sight of the big picture.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
 
木を見て森を見ず きをみてもりをみず

Contained Kanji Breakdown

tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)
see, hopes, chances
み.る ケン (1st, N5)
eye, class, look
め モク ボク (1st, N4)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)
forest, woods
もり シン もと (1st, N2)
tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)
grove, forest
リン はやし し (1st, N2)