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