得不償失 dé bù cháng shī

the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
得 dé HSK 2
link verb to result or degree; to get; must
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
償 cháng
to repay; to compensate for; to recompense
失 shī HSK 4
to lose; to miss; to fail