朝不保夕 zhāo bù bǎo xī

DEFINITIONS

  1. at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (idiom); precarious state
  2. imminent crisis
  3. living from hand to mouth

CHARACTERS

朝 zhāo
HSK 5
dynasty; morning
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
保 bǎo
HSK 4
protect, safeguard, defend, care
夕 xī
HSK 5
evening, night, dusk; slanted