sān三threesī思thinkér而andxíng行act
Think three times before acting.
Literal meaning
three (三) — think (思) — and (而) — act (行)
Origin
Analects (《论语·公冶长》). When told that a certain official thought three times before acting, Confucius replied: "Twice is enough" — a subtle joke about overthinking. But the phrase 三思而行 has come down as straightforward advice to think carefully before acting.
Examples
Zhòng重yào要jué决dìng定yào要sān三sī思ér而xíng行。
Important decisions need careful thought.
Tā他zuò做shì事sān三sī思ér而xíng行，hěn很shǎo少chū出cuò错。
He thinks before acting, and rarely makes mistakes.
Usage & nuances
Common everyday phrase. Used as advice or self-reminder.
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