一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 in English yi1 cun4 guang1 yin1 yi1 cun4 jin1 , cun4 jin1 nan2 mai3 cun4 guang1 yin1 Meaning

Meanings

• literally (word for word) An interval of time is worth an ounce of gold, money cannot buy you time. (idiomatic expression)
• metaphorically Time is precious and must be treasured.

Pinyin

yi1 cun4 guang1 yin1 yi1 cun4 jin1 , cun4 jin1 nan2 mai3 cun4 guang1 yin1

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

一yi1one 寸cun4a unit of length 光guang1light 阴yin1surname Yin 一yi1one 寸cun4a unit of length 金jin1surname Jin ， 寸cun4a unit of length 金jin1surname Jin 难nan2difficult (to...) 买mai3to buy 寸cun4a unit of length 光guang1light 阴yin1surname Yin