吃一堑，长一智 chī yī qiàn ， zhǎng yī zhì

learn from mistakes; gain wisdom from failure

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. Fall into the moat and you'll be wiser next time (idiom); One only learns from one's mistakes.

Characters

Character Meaning
吃 chī HSK 1
to eat; to consume; to eat at (a cafeteria etc)
一 yī HSK 1
one; 1; single
堑 qiàn
moat around a city
长 zhǎng HSK 2
to grow; to develop; to increase
一 yī HSK 1
one; 1; single
智 zhì HSK 5
wisdom; knowledge