磨刀不误砍柴工 in English mo2 dao1 bu4 wu4 kan3 chai2 gong1 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) sharpening the axe won't make the wood-splitting take longer (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically time invested in preparations is not lost
  • a beard well lathered is half shaved

Simplified Characters

磨 刀 不 误 砍 柴 工

Traditional Characters

磨 刀 不 誤 砍 柴 工

Pinyin

mo2 dao1 bu4 wu4 kan3 chai2 gong1

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

磨mo2to rub 刀dao1surname Dao 不bu4(negative prefix) 误wu4mistake 砍kan3to chop 柴chai2surname Chai 工gong1work