先禮後兵 xiān lǐ hòu bīng

DEFINITIONS

  1. peaceful measures before using force (idiom); diplomacy before violence
  2. jaw-jaw is better than war-war

CHARACTERS

先 xiān
HSK 1
first, former, previous
禮 lǐ social custom; manners; courtesy; rites
後 hòu behind, rear, after; descendents
兵 bīng
HSK 5
soldier, troops