见好就收
见好就收 (jiàn hǎo jiù shōu) literally means “see good then collect” and expresses “quit while ahead; take profits”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: jian hao jiu shou, jian hao jiu shou,见好就收 meaning, 见好就收 in english
Quit while ahead; take profits
Pronunciation: jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Literal meaning: See good then collect
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes seeing (见) good conditions (好) and then (就) collecting/stopping (收). It advises knowing when to quit while ahead rather than pushing luck too far. The phrase embodies practical wisdom about limits. Modern usage advocates for taking gains when available, the prudence of securing success rather than risking it for more.
Examples
English: "Knowing when to take profits is key in investing."
Chinese: 在投资中，见好就收是关键。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 见好就收 mean in English?
见好就收 (jiàn hǎo jiù shōu) literally translates to “See good then collect” and is used to express “Quit while ahead; take profits”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 见好就收 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving quit while ahead; take profits.
What is the pinyin for 见好就收?
The pinyin pronunciation for 见好就收 is “jiàn hǎo jiù shōu”.