遠水不解近渴 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

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