遠水救不了近火 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

遠 yuǎn distant, remote, far; profound
水 shuǐ
HSK 1
water, liquid, lotion, juice
救 jiù
HSK 5
save, rescue, relieve; help, aid
不 bu
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
了 liǎo
HSK 1
to finish; particle of completed action
近 jìn
HSK 2
near, close; approach; intimate
火 huǒ
HSK 2
fire, flame; burn; anger, rage