拆东补西 in English chai1 dong1 bu3 xi1 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) pull down the east wall to repair the west (idiomatic expression); metaphorically temporary expedient
  • Rob Peter to pay Paul

Simplified Characters

拆 东 补 西

Traditional Characters

拆 東 補 西

Pinyin

chai1 dong1 bu3 xi1

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

拆chai1to tear open 东dong1surname Dong 补bu3to repair 西xi1the West