远水救不了近火

yuǎn shuǐ jiù bu liǎo jìn huǒ

Save to list

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

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Child Words of 远水救不了近火

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