无事不登三宝殿 wú shì bù dēng sān bǎo diàn

come only when wanting something; ulterior motive

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to visit sb with an ulterior motive (esp. to ask for sth)
  2. 2. having a hidden agenda
  3. 3. lit. One doesn't visit a temple without a cause. (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
无 wú HSK 4
not; no; not to have
事 shì HSK 2
matter; thing; affair
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
登 dēng HSK 4
to publish or record; to ascend; to scale (a height)
三 sān HSK 1
three; 3; surname San
宝 bǎo HSK 5
precious; treasure; jewel
殿 diàn HSK 6
palace hall