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宁做鸡头，不做凤尾
寧做雞頭，不做鳳尾
nìngzuòjītóu,bùzuòfèngwěi
1.
lit. would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail (idiom)
2.
fig. to prefer to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond
Character Breakdown
宁
níng
calm, peaceful; healthy; rather; to prefer
HSK 5
5 丶
做
zuò
to work, to make; to act
HSK 1
11 丶
鸡
jī
chicken
HSK 2
7 丶
头
tóu
head; chief, boss; first, top
HSK 3
5 丶
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
4 丶
做
zuò
to work, to make; to act
HSK 1
11 丶
凤
fèng
male phoenix; symbol of joy
4 丶
尾
wěi
tail; extremity, end; back, rear
HSK 5
7 丶
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