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兵马未动，粮草先行
bīngmǎwèidòng,liángcǎoxiānxíng
Traditional: 兵馬未動，糧草先行
before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers / an army marches on its stomach
Character Breakdown
兵
bīng
soldier; troops, an army; warlike
HSK 5
马
mǎ
horse; surname
HSK 3
未
wèi
not yet; 8th terrestrial branch
HSK 5
动
dòng
to move, to happen; movement, action
HSK 2
粮
liáng
food, grain, provisions
HSK 5
草
cǎo
grass, herbs; straw, thatch
HSK 3
先
xiān
first, former, previous
HSK 1
行
xíng
to go, to walk, to move; professional
HSK 3
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
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HSK Word Level
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