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前车之覆，后车之鉴
前車之覆，後車之鑒
qiánchēzhīfù,hòuchēzhījiàn
1.
lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (idiom); fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor
2.
learn from past mistake
3.
once bitten twice shy
Character Breakdown
前
qián
in front, forward; former, preceding
HSK 1
9 丶
车
chē
cart, vehicle; to move in a cart
HSK 1
4 丶
之
zhī
marks preceding phrase as modifier of following phrase; it, him her, them; to go to
HSK 4
3 丶
覆
fù
to cover; to overturn; to repeat; to reply
HSK 6
18 丶
后
hòu
after; behind, rear; descendants
HSK 1
6 丶
车
chē
cart, vehicle; to move in a cart
HSK 1
4 丶
之
zhī
marks preceding phrase as modifier of following phrase; it, him her, them; to go to
HSK 4
3 丶
鉴
jiàn
mirror, looking glass; to reflect
HSK 6
13 丶
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