quality over quantity; better few than many
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
better to accept fewer (or none) than to have too many of inferior quality; would rather go without than accept something substandard
formalCommonly used in contexts of personnel recruitment, resource allocation, curation, and quality control to emphasize strict standards over quantity. Often used as a predicate or adverbial phrase.
Wǒ我
men们
zhāo招
pìn聘
rén人
cái才
jiān坚
chí持
nìng宁
quē缺
wú毋
làn滥
de的
yuán原
zé则
。
We adhere to the principle of quality over quantity when recruiting talent.
Zhè这
běn本
shū书
nìng宁
quē缺
wú毋
làn滥
，
zhī只
shōu收
lù录
le了
zuì最
jīng经
diǎn典
de的
wén文
zhāng章
。
This book follows a strict selection process, including only the most classic essays.
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Jiāo交
péng朋
yǒu友
yào要
nìng宁
quē缺
wú毋
làn滥
，
guì贵
zài在
zhēn真
chéng诚
。
When making friends, it is better to have few genuine ones than many superficial ones; sincerity is what counts.
Gōng公
sī司
xuǎn选
bá拔
gàn干
bù部
nìng宁
quē缺
wú毋
làn滥
，
què确
bǎo保
měi每
gè个
gǎng岗
wèi位
dōu都
shì是
zuì最
hé合
shì适
de的
rén人
xuǎn选
。
The company selects cadres with strict standards, ensuring that every position is filled by the most suitable candidate.