Meaning and Usage
The idiom 得不偿失 (dé bù cháng shī) describes situations where the benefits or gains from an action are outweighed by the losses or costs incurred. It is often used to caution against decisions or actions that seem advantageous but ultimately cause more harm than good.
Common Contexts
This phrase frequently appears in discussions about financial decisions, health, work-life balance, and any scenario where a cost-benefit analysis is implied. It carries a negative connotation, warning that the outcome is not worth the effort or sacrifice.
Collocations and Patterns
- 得不偿失的投资 (dé bù cháng shī de tóuzī): an investment where losses exceed gains
- 做某事得不偿失 (zuò mǒushì dé bù cháng shī): doing something that is not worth the cost
- 结果得不偿失 (jiéguǒ dé bù cháng shī): the result is that the losses outweigh the gains
Usage Notes
When using 得不偿失, speakers imply a careful evaluation of pros and cons, often expressing regret or warning. It is a formal idiom suitable for written and spoken Chinese, especially in analytical or advisory contexts.
Avoid confusing it with similar phrases that emphasize loss alone; 得不偿失 specifically highlights the imbalance between gain and loss.