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鱼与熊掌
魚與熊掌
yúyǔxióngzhǎng
1. lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other
2. you can't always get everything you want
3. you can't have your cake and eat it

Character Breakdown

鱼
yú
fish
HSK 2 8 丶
与
yǔ
and; with; to; for; to give, to grant
HSK 4 3 丶
熊
xióng
a bear; brilliant; surname
HSK 3 14 丶
掌
zhǎng
in charge; the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot
HSK 5 12 丶

Compound Words (1)

鱼与熊掌不可兼得
yúyǔxióngzhǎngbùkějiāndé
lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other

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Chinese