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寧為雞口，無為牛後. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
寧為雞口，無為牛後, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
寧為雞口，無為牛後 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
寧為雞口，無為牛後 you have here. The definition of the word
寧為雞口，無為牛後 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
寧為雞口，無為牛後, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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peaceful; rather; Ningxia (abbrev.)
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because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become |
fowl; chicken
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mouth; (a measure word, for people, livestock or utensils)
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not have
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because of; for; to because of; for; to; act as; take...to be; to be; to do; to serve as; to become |
ox; cow; bull
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back; behind; rear back; behind; rear; afterwards; after; later |
| trad. (寧為雞口，無為牛後/寧爲鷄口，無爲牛後)
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寧
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為/爲
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雞/鷄
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口
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，
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無
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為/爲
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牛
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後
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| simp. (宁为鸡口，无为牛后)
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宁
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为
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鸡
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口
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，
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无
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为
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牛
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后
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| alternative forms
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寧為雞口，不為牛後／宁为鸡口，不为牛后
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| Literally: “Better be the beak of a chicken (smaller but cleaner) than the arse of an ox (bigger but dirtier)”.
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Etymology
Quoted from Su Qin's speech to King Xuanhui of Han, persuading him to unite with other states to fight against Qin:
Pronunciation
Proverb
寧為雞口，無為牛後
- (figurative) It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.
Synonyms
Descendants
References
- “Entry #58289”, in 重編國語辭典修訂本 [Revised Mandarin Chinese Dictionary] (in Chinese), National Academy for Educational Research (Taiwan), 2021.