不怕官，只怕管 bù pà guān ， zhǐ pà guǎn

fig. to be obliged to comply with people in authority

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to be obliged to comply with people in authority
  2. 2. lit. it is not an official to be feared, but a person in direct control over sb (proverb)

Characters

Character Meaning
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
怕 pà HSK 3
to be afraid; to fear; perhaps
官 guān HSK 5
official; government official; governmental
只 zhǐ HSK 3
only; just; merely
怕 pà HSK 3
to be afraid; to fear; perhaps
管 guǎn HSK 4
to manage; to be in charge of; to control