单丝不成线，独木不成林 dān sī bù chéng xiàn ， dú mù bù chéng lín

people must work together; unity is strength

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. one strand does not make a thread, one tree does not make a forest (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
单 dān HSK 3
single; only; sole
丝 sī HSK 5
silk; thread; trace
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
成 chéng HSK 3
to become; to succeed; to complete
线 xiàn HSK 4
line; wire; thread
独 dú HSK 5
alone; only; independent
木 mù HSK 5
tree; wood; wooden
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
成 chéng HSK 3
to become; to succeed; to complete
林 lín HSK 4
woods; forest; surname Lin