没有规矩，不成方圆 méi yǒu guī ju ， bù chéng fāng yuán

DEFINITIONS

  1. without rules, nothing can be done (idiom); one must follow some rules

CHARACTERS

没 méi
HSK 1
not, have not, none; drown, sink
有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
规 guī
HSK 4
rules, regulations, customs, law
矩 ju
HSK 5
carpenter's square, ruler, rule
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
成 chéng
HSK 3
completed, finished, fixed
方 fāng
HSK 3
a square, rectangle; a region; local
圆 yuán
HSK 5
circle; round, circular; complete