比上不足比下有余

Traditional form:

比上不足比下有餘

Pinyin (reading):

bǐshàngbùzúbǐxiàyǒuyú

Definitions:

• to fall short of the best but be better than the worst
• can pass muster

Characters:

• 比 - to compare, liken; comparison; than
• 上 - above, on top, superior; to go up; to attend; previous
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 足 - foot; to attain, to satisfy; enough
• 比 - to compare, liken; comparison; than
• 下 - below, underneath; inferior; to bring down; next
• 有 - to have, to own, to possess; to exist
• 余 - surplus, remainder; surname

Traditional characters:

• 比 - to compare, liken; comparison; than
• 上 - above, on top, superior; to go up; to attend; previous
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 足 - foot; to attain, to satisfy; enough
• 比 - to compare, liken; comparison; than
• 下 - below, underneath; inferior; to bring down; next
• 有 - to have, to own, to possess; to exist
• 餘 - surplus, remainder, excess