得不偿失

Traditional form:

得不償失

Pinyin (reading):

débùchángshī

Definitions:

• the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)

Characters:

• 得 - to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; ready
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 偿 - to repay, to recompense; restitution
• 失 - to lose; to make a mistake, to neglect

Traditional characters:

• 得 - to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; ready
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 償 - to repay, to recompense; restitution
• 失 - to lose; to make a mistake, to neglect