良禽择木而栖 liáng qín zé mù ér qī

a fine bird chooses a tree to nest in (proverb)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. a fine bird chooses a tree to nest in (proverb)
  2. 2. fig. a talented person chooses a patron of integrity

Characters

Character Meaning
良 liáng HSK 5
good; very; very much
禽 qín HSK 6
birds; generic term for birds and animals; to capture (old)
择 zé HSK 3
to select; to choose; to pick out
木 mù HSK 5
tree; wood; wooden
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
栖 qī
to perch; to rest (of birds); to dwell