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欲速則不達

简欲速则不达 · 繁欲速則不達

Mandarin · pinyin yù sù zé bù dá

(idiom) (the Analects) haste makes waste; things can't be rushed

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Characters in this entry

欲: yù · desire, want, long for; intend
速: sù · quick, prompt, speedy
則: Look up this written character
不: bù · no, not; un-; negative prefix
達: Look up this written character
则: zé · rule, law, regulation; grades
达: dá · arrive at, reach; intelligent; smooth, slippery

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

4–4–2–4–2 · yu4 su4 ze2 bu4 da2

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

欲速則不達 · find source passages ↗ · 欲速则不达 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

juk6 cuk1 zak1 bat1 daat6

Cantonese word readings for 欲速則不達. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

proverb

haste makes waste; slow and steady wins the race

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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