流水不腐，戶樞不蠹 liú shuǐ bù fǔ ， hù shū bù dù

fig. constant activity prevents decay

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. constant activity prevents decay
  2. 2. lit. flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
流 liú HSK 4
to flow; to circulate or spread; to move or drift
水 shuǐ HSK 1
water; liquid; beverage
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
腐 fǔ HSK 5
rotten; decay
戶 hù
a household; family; door
樞 shū
hinge; pivot
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
蠹 dù
insect that eats into books, clothing etc; moth-eaten