苟且偷生 gǒu qiě tōu shēng

DEFINITIONS

  1. to drift and live without purpose (idiom); to drag out an ignoble existence

CHARACTERS

苟 gǒu
HSK 6
careless, frivolous; illicit; grammatical particle: if, but, if only; surname; grass name; distinguish DKW 30853 (ji4)
且 qiě
HSK 3
moreover, also (post-subject); about to, will soon (pre-verb)
偷 tōu
HSK 5
to steal, burglar, thief
生 shēng
HSK 1
life, living, lifetime; birth