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dé 得 bù 不 cháng 偿 shī 失

得不偿失 dé bù cháng shī

the loss outweighs the gain; not worth it

Literally: gain not compensate loss

Intermediate 🏁 Success & failure
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Origin

From Su Shi's writing on frontier policy, arguing that a campaign's gains would not make up for its costs.

How to use it

Predicate; negative. Often 这样做得不偿失.

Example sentences

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  1. 为了省几块钱走那么远的路，真是得不偿失。
    Wèile shěng jǐ kuài qián zǒu nàme yuǎn de lù, zhēnshi dé bù cháng shī.
    Walking that far to save a few yuan; the loss outweighs the gain.
    for save several yuan money walk that far (particle) road, truly gain not compensate loss
  2. 熬夜学习影响了第二天的考试，得不偿失。
    Áoyè xuéxí yǐngxiǎng le dì-èr tiān de kǎoshì, dé bù cháng shī.
    Staying up all night to study hurt the next day's exam; it wasn't worth it.
    stay-up study affect (particle) second day (particle) exam, gain not compensate loss

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