心有餘而力不足 xīn yǒu yú ér lì bù zú

DEFINITIONS

  1. the will is there, but not the strength (idiom)
  2. the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

CHARACTERS

心 xīn
HSK 3
heart; mind, intelligence; soul
有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
餘 yú surplus, excess, remainder
而 ér
HSK 3
and; and then; and yet; but
力 lì
HSK 3
power, capability, influence
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
足 zú
HSK 2
foot; attain, satisfy, enough