無功不受祿 wú gōng bù shòu lù

DEFINITIONS

  1. Don't get a reward if it's not deserved. (idiom)

CHARACTERS

無 wú negative, no, not; lack, have no
功 gōng
HSK 4
achievement, merit, good result
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
受 shòu
HSK 4
receive, accept, get; bear, stand
祿 lù blessing, happiness, prosperity