不見棺材不落淚 bù jiàn guān cai bù luò lèi

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. not to shed a tear until one sees the coffin (idiom)
  2. fig. refuse to be convinced until one is faced with grim reality

CHARACTERS

不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
見 jiàn see, observe, behold; perceive
棺 guān coffin
材 cai
HSK 4
material, stuff; timber; talent
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
落 luò
HSK 4
fall, drop; net income, surplus
淚 lèi tears; weep, cry