羊毛出在羊身上 yáng máo chū zài yáng shēn shàng

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. wool comes from the sheep's back (idiom); One gets the benefit, but the price has been paid.
  2. Nothing comes for free.

CHARACTERS

羊 yáng
HSK 2
sheep, goat; KangXi radical 123
毛 máo
HSK 4
hair, fur, feathers; coarse
出 chū
HSK 1
go out, send out; stand; produce
在 zài
HSK 1
be at, in, on; consist in, rest
羊 yáng
HSK 2
sheep, goat; KangXi radical 123
身 shēn
HSK 2
body; trunk, hull; rad. no. 158
上 shàng
HSK 1
top; superior, highest; go up, send up