得而復失 dé ér fù shī

to lose what one has just obtained (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to lose what one has just obtained (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
得 dé HSK 2
link verb to result or degree; to get; must
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
復 fù
again; to repeat; to reply
失 shī HSK 4
to lose; to miss; to fail