旧的不去,新的不来 jiù de bù qù , xīn de bù lái

lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come.

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come.
  2. 2. You can't make progress by clinging to old notions.

Characters

Character Meaning
old; opposite: new xīn; former
(used after an attribute)
not; no; (negative prefix)
to go; to go to (a place)
new; newly
(used after an attribute)
not; no; (negative prefix)
to come; to arrive; next