远水救不了近火 yuǎn shuǐ jiù bu liǎo jìn huǒ

DEFINITIONS

  1. water in a distant place is of little use in putting out a fire right here
  2. (fig.) a slow remedy does not address the current emergency

CHARACTERS

远 yuǎn distant, remote, far; profound
水 shuǐ water, liquid, lotion, juice
救 jiù save, rescue, relieve; help, aid
不 bu no, not; un-; negative prefix
了 liǎo to finish; particle of completed action
近 jìn near, close; approach; intimate
火 huǒ fire, flame; burn; anger, rage