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March 24, 2026
得不偿失(得不償失)débùchángshī(de2bu4chang2shi1)
得不偿失 is an idiom that expresses the idea that the benefits or gains from an action do not outweigh the costs or losses incurred. It is often used to caution against making decisions that may seem advantageous at first but lead to greater negative consequences.
Frequency#35546DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the concept of weighing gains against losses is crucial, especially in investment and entrepreneurship. This idiom reflects a common cautionary principle that is taught to young entrepreneurs.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who invests a large sum of money in a business venture that fails. They thought they would gain a fortune, but instead, they lost more than they invested. The phrase sounds like 'de bu' (the gain) and 'chang shi' (to lose), reminding you that sometimes you 'gain' but ultimately 'lose' more.
Meanings of 得不偿失
débùchángshī(de2bu4chang2shi1)
1the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)
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About 得不偿失
得不偿失Simplified
得不償失Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#35546Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 得不偿失
Podcast: 得不偿失
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AI Study Notes for 得不偿失
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who invests a large sum of money in a business venture that fails. They thought they would gain a fortune, but instead, they lost more than they invested. The phrase sounds like 'de bu' (the gain) and 'chang shi' (to lose), reminding you that sometimes you 'gain' but ultimately 'lose' more.
Usage Notes
This idiom is typically used in more formal contexts, such as discussions about investments or business decisions. A common mistake is to use it in casual situations where a simpler expression would suffice. Remember to use it correctly in contexts involving cost-benefit analysis.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 idiom, it connects with other advanced vocabulary related to economics and decision-making. Students should focus on understanding the nuances of the phrase and practicing its application in discussions about risk and reward.
Cultural Note
In Chinese business culture, the concept of weighing gains against losses is crucial, especially in investment and entrepreneurship. This idiom reflects a common cautionary principle that is taught to young entrepreneurs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases like 得不偿失 (de2 bu4 chang2 shi1) and mistakenly say 得不偿过 (de2 bu4 chang2 guo4). The correct phrase emphasizes loss over gain, so remember to use '失' for 'loss'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 得不偿失
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Cultural Notes for 得不偿失
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese business culture, the concept of weighing gains against losses is crucial, especially in investment and entrepreneurship. This idiom reflects a common cautionary principle that is taught to young entrepreneurs.
Frequently Asked Questions about 得不偿失
While it can be used in everyday conversation, it's best suited for discussions involving business or serious decision-making.
A similar English idiom is 'penny wise, pound foolish', which conveys the idea of being careful with small amounts but careless with larger sums.
Break it down into parts: '得' (de) sounds like 'duh', '不' (bu) is like 'boo', '偿' (chang) sounds like 'chong', and '失' (shi) is 'she'. Combine them to keep the flow.
