远水不解近渴 yuǎn shuǐ bù jiě jìn kě

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. distant water does not cure present thirst; fig. urgent need
  2. a slow remedy does not address immediate needs

CHARACTERS

远 yuǎn
HSK 2
distant, remote, far; profound
水 shuǐ
HSK 1
water, liquid, lotion, juice
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
解 jiě
HSK 3
loosen, unfasten, untie; explain
近 jìn
HSK 2
near, close; approach; intimate
渴 kě
HSK 3
thirsty, parched; yearn, pine