取長補短 qǔ cháng bǔ duǎn

use strengths to make up for weaknesses

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. use others' strengths to make up for one's weak points (idiom from Mencius)
  2. 2. to use this in place of that
  3. 3. what you lose on the swings, you win on the roundabouts

Characters

Character Meaning
取 qǔ HSK 4
to take; to get; to choose
長 cháng
to grow; to develop; to increase
補 bǔ
to make up for; to supplement; to repair
短 duǎn HSK 3
short; brief; to lack