前不著村，後不著店 qián bù zháo cūn ， hòu bù zháo diàn

to be in a predicament

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to be in a predicament
  2. 2. fig. to be stranded in the middle of nowhere
  3. 3. lit. no village ahead and no inn behind (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
前 qián HSK 1
front; before; forward
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
著 zháo HSK 4
aspect particle indicating action in progress
村 cūn HSK 5
village; variant of 村cūn; surname Cun
後 hòu
behind; after; later
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
著 zháo HSK 4
aspect particle indicating action in progress
店 diàn HSK 1
shop; store; inn