Chinese Conversation · Level 69
90 words
Chinese word
得不偿失
Pronunciation
Pinyindé bù cháng shī
Meaning
- idiomlose more than you gain
Example
这样做，得不偿失。zhè yàng zuò dé bù cháng shī
Doing this makes you lose more than you gain.
More examples
为了节省几块钱，换整台机器真是得不偿失。wèi le jié shěng jǐ kuài qián huàn zhěng tái jī qì zhēn shì dé bù cháng shī
Replacing the whole machine to save a few dollars really makes you lose more than you gain.
Core concept
The balance tips toward the sacrifice because the reward cannot cover the cost.
Common phrases
得不偿失的选择dé bù cháng shī de xuǎn zé
a choice that loses more than it gains
得不偿失的做法dé bù cháng shī de zuò fǎ
an approach that loses more than it gains
Similar words
因小失大yīn xiǎo shī dà: Pursuing a minor benefit and losing something much more valuable.
杀鸡取卵shā jī qú luǎn: Taking a short-term benefit at the cost of future benefits.
赔了夫人又折兵péi le fū rén yòu zhé bīng: Missing the goal and suffering serious losses of people or resources.
Definition in Chinese
得到的利益弥补不了所付出的损失。dé dào de lì yì mí bǔ bù liǎo suǒ fù chū de sǔn shī
Word origin
The four parts 得 (dé, "gain") + 不 (bù, "not") + 偿 (cháng, "make up for") + 失 (shī, "loss") state that the gain does not compensate for the loss.
Usage tips
- For everyday decisions, the phrase applies to nonfinancial costs such as delay, fatigue, trouble, or loss of trust, which makes its range broader than a simple money calculation.