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鱼与熊掌不可兼得
魚與熊掌不可兼得
yúyǔxióngzhǎngbùkějiāndé
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
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
4 丶
可
kě
may, can, -able; possibly
HSK 2
5 丶
兼
jiān
both, and; at the same time; to unite, to combine
HSK 5
10 丶
得
dé
to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; ready
HSK 2
11 丶
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