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平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚
píngshíbùshāoxiāng,línshíbàofójiǎo
Traditional: 平時不燒香，臨時抱佛腳
lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble / doing things at the last minute / to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)
Character Breakdown
平
píng
flat, level, even; peaceful
HSK 3
时
shí
time, season; period, era, age
HSK 1
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
烧
shāo
to burn, to bake; to heat, to roast
HSK 3
香
xiāng
incense; fragrant, aromatic
HSK 3
临
lín
to draw near, to approach; to descend
HSK 5
时
shí
time, season; period, era, age
HSK 1
抱
bào
to embrace, to hold in one's arms; to enfold
HSK 4
佛
fú
Buddha; Buddhist
HSK 5
脚
jiǎo
leg, foot; foundation, base
HSK 3
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
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HSK Word Level
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