| 上善若水 |
shàng shàn ruò shuǐ |
the ideal is to be like water (which benefits all living things and does not struggle against them) (quotation from the "Book of Dao" 道德经) |
| 上 |
shǎng |
used in 上声 |
| 上 |
shàng |
(bound form) up; upper; above; previous / first (of multiple parts) / to climb; to get onto; to go up / to attend (class or university) / (directional complement) up / (noun suffix) on; above |
| 善 |
shàn |
good (virtuous) / benevolent / well-disposed / good at sth / to improve or perfect |
| 若 |
rě |
used in 般若 / used in 兰若 |
| 若 |
ruò |
to seem / like / as / if |
| 水 |
Shuǐ |
surname Shui / Shui ethnic group |
| 水 |
shuǐ |
water / (after a name) ... River / to swim (used mostly in 会水 and 水性) / (coll.) lacking in substance; shoddy / (bound form) additional cost; extra income / classifier for washings of a garment |