不求有功，但求无过 in English bu4 qiu2 you3 gong1 , dan4 qiu2 wu2 guo4 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically to take a risk-averse approach

Simplified Characters

不 求 有 功 ， 但 求 无 过

Traditional Characters

不 求 有 功 ， 但 求 無 過

Pinyin

bu4 qiu2 you3 gong1 , dan4 qiu2 wu2 guo4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

不bu4(negative prefix) 求qiu2to seek 有you3to have 功gong1meritorious deed or service ， 但dan4but 求qiu2to seek 无wu2not to have 过guo4surname Guo