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飢不擇食

beggars can't be choosers

Character Composition

Characters

Pinyin

ji1bu4ze2shi2 • jībùzéshí

Meaning

Primary

beggars can't be choosers

Mnemonic

飢不擇食 Beggars can't be choosers means that those who are 飢 starving have 不 no freedom to 擇 choose the 食 food they eat.

Usage

飢不擇食， 寒不擇衣。

Beggars can't be choosers, and the cold can't be picky about clothes.

她 什麼 工作 都 願意 做， 真 是 飢不擇食。

She is willing to do any job, truly beggars can't be choosers.