临渴穿井 in English lin2 ke3 chuan1 jing3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) face thirst and dig a well (idiomatic expression); metaphorically not to make adequate provision
  • to act when it is too late

Simplified Characters

临 渴 穿 井

Traditional Characters

臨 渴 穿 井

Pinyin

lin2 ke3 chuan1 jing3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

临lin2to face 渴ke3thirsty 穿chuan1to wear 井jing3Jing, one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomy