千里马常有，而伯乐不常有 qiān lǐ mǎ cháng yǒu ， ér bó lè bù cháng yǒu

talent is common, but talent spotters are rare

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it
  2. 2. lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
千 qiān HSK 2
thousand; see 秋千qiū qiān
里 lǐ HSK 1
inside; interior; internal
马 mǎ HSK 3
horse; surname Ma
常 cháng HSK 2
often; frequently; always
有 yǒu HSK 1
to have; there is; there are
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
伯 bó HSK 6
father's elder brother; paternal elder uncle; senior
乐 lè HSK 2
happy; cheerful; to laugh
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
常 cháng HSK 2
often; frequently; always
有 yǒu HSK 1
to have; there is; there are