Word: 南辕北辙 (nányuánběizhé) Traditional: 南轅北轍 南辕北辙 dictionary entry nányuánběizhé to act in a way that defeats one's purpose (idiom) Full dictionary entry for 南辕北辙 Example sentences using 南辕北辙 2 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 你要南辕北辙了。 Nǐ yào nányuánběizhé le. You're not going in the right direction. 方法不对，再努力也是南辕北辙。 Fāngfǎ bú duì, zài nǔlì yě shì nányuánběizhé. With the wrong method, no amount of effort will help; you'll just be heading the wrong way.