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上梁不正下梁歪
shàngliángbùzhèngxiàliángwāi
lit. If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked (idiom); fig. subordinates imitate their superiors' vices
Character Breakdown
上
shàng
above, on top, superior; to go up; to attend; previous
HSK 1
梁
liáng
bridge; beam, rafter; surname
HSK 6
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
正
zhèng
straight, right, proper, correct, just, true
HSK 2
下
xià
below, underneath; inferior; to bring down; next
HSK 1
梁
liáng
bridge; beam, rafter; surname
HSK 6
歪
wāi
slanted, askew, awry
HSK 5
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
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HSK Word Level
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