成则为王，败则为寇 chéng zé wéi wáng ， bài zé wéi kòu

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. called a king if successful, called a bandit if defeated (idiom)
  2. fig. losers are always in the wrong

CHARACTERS

成 chéng
HSK 3
completed, finished, fixed
则 zé
HSK 4
rule, law, regulation; grades
为 wéi
HSK 2
do, handle, govern, act; be
王 wáng
HSK 5
king, ruler; royal; surname
败 bài
HSK 4
be defeated, decline, fail
则 zé
HSK 4
rule, law, regulation; grades
为 wéi
HSK 2
do, handle, govern, act; be
寇 kòu bandits, thieves; enemy; invade