死记硬背

sǐ jì yìng bèi

to learn by rote without understanding

Character by character

死sǐ
dead

记jì
memorise

硬yìng
stiff

背bèi
recite

学语言不能只靠死记硬背。

You cannot learn a language by rote alone.

Tone: negative (criticism).

Learn this in Lesson 78 · HSK 6–7: 科举制度 (The imperial examinations)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.