有所得必有所失 yǒu suǒ dé bì yǒu suǒ shī

DEFINITIONS

  1. there is no gain without a loss (idiom)
  2. there is no such thing as a free meal

CHARACTERS

有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
所 suǒ
HSK 2
place, location; numerary adjunct
得 dé
HSK 2
obtain, get, gain, acquire
必 bì
HSK 3
surely, most certainly; must
有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
所 suǒ
HSK 2
place, location; numerary adjunct
失 shī
HSK 4
lose; make mistake, neglect