北叟失马 in English bei3 sou3 shi1 ma3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for the best (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically a blessing in disguise
  • it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good

Simplified Characters

北 叟 失 马

Traditional Characters

北 叟 失 馬

Pinyin

bei3 sou3 shi1 ma3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

北bei3north 叟sou3old gentleman 失shi1to lose 马ma3surname Ma