远水救不了近火

yuǎn shuǐ jiù bu liǎo jìn huǒ

Definitions

1. water in a distant place is of little use in putting out a fire right here
2. (fig.) a slow remedy does not address the current emergency

Child Words of 远水救不了近火

• 不 bù: no; not so
• 了 le: (completed action marker)
• 救 jiù: to save
• 水 shuǐ: water
• 火 huǒ: fire
• 了 liǎo: (of eyes) bright
• 近 jìn: near
• 远 yuǎn: far
• 远 yuàn: to distance oneself from (classical)
• 不了 bù le: no thanks (used to politely but informally decline)