進退有常 jìn tuì yǒu cháng

DEFINITIONS

  1. to advance or retreat, each has its rules (idiom from Zhuangzi); many translations are possible

CHARACTERS

進 jìn advance, make progress, enter
退 tuì
HSK 5
step back, retreat, withdraw
有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
常 cháng
HSK 2
common, normal, frequent, regular