牡丹虽好，终须绿叶扶持 mǔ dan suī hǎo ， zhōng xū lǜ yè fú chí

DEFINITIONS

  1. Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.

CHARACTERS

牡 mǔ male of animals; bolt of door
丹 dan cinnabar (native HgS); vermilion (artificial HgS used as pigment)
虽 suī
HSK 2
although, even if
好 hǎo
HSK 1
good, excellent, fine; well
终 zhōng
HSK 3
end; finally, in the end
须 xū
HSK 3
must, have to, necessary
绿 lǜ
HSK 3
green; chlorine
叶 yè
HSK 4
to harmonize, to rhyme; to unite; (borrowed for) leaf
扶 fú
HSK 5
support, help; protect; hold on
持 chí
HSK 4
sustain, support; hold, grasp