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得不偿失
得不償失
débùchángshī
1. the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)
HSK 6

Character Breakdown

得
dé
to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; ready
HSK 2 11 丶
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1 4 丶
偿
cháng
to repay, to recompense; restitution
HSK 5 11 丶
失
shī
to lose; to make a mistake, to neglect
HSK 4 5 丶

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Chinese