寧缺毋濫 nìng quē wú làn

better none than low quality; be selective

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. better to have nothing (than substandard choice) (idiom); would prefer to go without than accept shoddy option

Characters

Character Meaning
寧 nìng
peaceful; surname Ning
缺 quē HSK 4
lack; to run short of; deficiency
毋 wú
don't; (literary) no; nobody
濫 làn
indiscriminate; excessive; overflowing