宁做鸡头,不做凤尾 nìng zuò jī tóu , bù zuò fèng wěi

better be leader of small than low in big

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to prefer to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond
  2. 2. lit. would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
peaceful; surname Ning
to do; to make; to engage in
chicken; fowl; (slang) prostitute
head; the top; end
not; no; (negative prefix)
to do; to make; to engage in
phoenix; surname Feng
tail; remainder; remnant