不孝有三，無後為大 bù xiào yǒu sān ， wú hòu wéi dà

of three unfilial acts, no heir is worst

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. There are three ways to be unfilial; having no sons is the worst. (citation from Mencius 孟子mèng zǐ)

Characters

Character Meaning
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
孝 xiào HSK 5
filial piety or obedience; mourning apparel
有 yǒu HSK 1
to have; there is; there are
三 sān HSK 1
three; 3; surname San
無 wú
not; no; not to have
後 hòu
behind; after; later
為 wéi
for; because of; to
大 dà HSK 1
big; large; great