不求有功，但求无过

Traditional: 不求有功，但求無過

bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò

Dictionary entry

lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)

What does 不求有功，但求无过 mean?

不求有功，但求无过 (bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò) has the following dictionary meaning.

1lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)

2fig. to take a risk-averse approach

Character breakdown

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不bùno; not so · (bound form) not; un-求qiúto seek · to look for 有yǒuto have; there is · (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意[you3 yi4] intentional)功gōngmeritorious deed or service · achievement 但dànbut; yet; however; still · merely; only; just 无móused in 南無|南无[na1 mo2]过Guōsurname Guo

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How to pronounce 不求有功，但求无过

不求有功，但求无过

bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò

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Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.