jí急urgentgōng功achievementjìn近nearlì利profit
Eager for quick success and instant benefits; shortsighted.
Literal meaning
urgent (急) — achievement (功) — near (近) — profit (利)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase criticizing those who prioritize immediate gains over long-term goals.
Examples
Wǒ我men们bù不néng能jí急gōng功jìn近lì利，yào要yī一bù步yī一gè个jiǎo脚yìn印。
We cannot be eager for quick success; we must take steady steps.
Zhè这zhǒng种jí急gōng功jìn近lì利de的zuò做fǎ法shì是bù不kě可qǔ取de的。
This kind of shortsighted approach is not advisable.
Usage & nuances
Has a negative connotation, criticizing impatience and a lack of long-term vision.
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