水能载舟，亦能覆舟
水能载舟，亦能覆舟
shuǐ néng zài zhōu , yì néng fù zhōu
lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb); fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it; if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm; things can be double-edged
Traditional: 水能載舟，亦能覆舟
Characters in This Word
Definitions
- lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb)
- fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it
- if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm
- things can be double-edged
Example Sentences
Example sentences coming soon.
Related Words
载舟覆舟(zài zhōu fù zhōu)— to carry a boat or to overturn a boat (idiom); fig. The people can support a regime or overturn it.
→如人饮水，冷暖自知(rú rén yǐn shuǐ , lěng nuǎn zì zhī)— the person who drinks it knows best whether the water is hot or cold (Zen proverb); self-awareness comes from within
→左右逢源(zuǒ yòu féng yuán)— lit. to strike water right and left (idiom)
→值守(zhí shǒu)— (of a security guard etc) to be on duty, keeping an eye on things
→HSK & Exam Info
This word is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists.