Definition
This is a idiomatic chengyu meaning 'visible but unreachable' — something is in sight yet impossible to obtain or achieve. The structure breaks down as 可望 ('can be seen') + 而 ('but') + 不可及 ('cannot be reached'). You'll often hear it used for unattainable goals, desires, or people — like a dream job that's too competitive or a crush who's out of your league. Note that 及 here means 'to reach', not the more common meaning of 'and'.
idiom
in sight but beyond reachunattainableinaccessible
Examples
- ，，可望而不可及。Zhège gōngzuò kàn qǐlai hěn hǎo, dàn yāoqiú tài gāo, duì wǒ lái shuō zhēnshi kě.This job looks great, but the requirements are too high — it's truly unattainable for me.
- ，可望而不可及。Duì pǔtōngrén lái shuō, dāng míngxīng shì ge kě de mèngxiǎng.For ordinary people, becoming a star is an unattainable dream.
- 可望而不可及。Nà zuò háozhái de jiàgé duì wǒ lái shuō kě.The price of that mansion is beyond my reach.
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