| 得不偿失 |
dé bù cháng shī |
the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom) |
| 得 |
dé |
to obtain / to get / to gain / to catch (a disease) / proper / suitable / proud / contented / to allow / to permit / ready / finished |
| 得 |
de |
structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc |
| 得 |
děi |
to have to / must / ought to / to need to |
| 不 |
bù |
no; not so / (bound form) not; un- |
| 偿 |
cháng |
to repay / to compensate for / to recompense / to fulfill (hopes etc) |
| 失 |
shī |
to lose / to miss / to fail |