欲速则不达 yù sù zé bù dá

more haste, less speed; haste makes waste

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 43481st word

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed
  2. 2. don't try to run before you can walk

Characters

Character Meaning
欲 yù HSK 6
to desire; desire; to wish for
速 sù HSK 4
fast; quick; rapid
则 zé HSK 4
then; but; rule, standard
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
达 dá HSK 5
to reach; to attain; to communicate