宁为鸡头，不为凤尾 nìng wéi jī tóu ， bù wéi fèng wěi

better lead small than follow big

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. see 寧做雞頭，宁做鸡头，不做凤尾[ning4 zuo4 ji1 tou2 , bu4 zuo4 feng4 wei3]

Characters

Character Meaning
宁 nìng HSK 5
peaceful; surname Ning
为 wéi HSK 2
for; because of; to
鸡 jī HSK 2
chicken; fowl; (slang) prostitute
头 tóu HSK 3
head; the top; end
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
为 wéi HSK 2
for; because of; to
凤 fèng
phoenix; surname Feng
尾 wěi HSK 5
tail; remainder; remnant