该…的…，该…的…
do A where A is called for and B where B is (spend where you should, save where you should)
Structure
该 动词甲 的 动词甲 ， 该 动词乙 的 动词乙
What it means
Do A where A is called for and B where B is: spend where you should, save where you should. It sums up good judgement, neither too much nor too little.
How it is built
该 + verb + 的 + the same verb, twice, usually with opposite verbs (花／省, 放手／管, 说／不说): 该花的花，该省的省 (spend where it matters, save where you can).
When to use it
Plain and spoken: advice, family budgets, a manager’s instructions. Close cousins: 该花就花, and 该干嘛干嘛 (just get on with what you should be doing).
Watch out
Keep 的 and repeat the verb: ✗该花，该省 ✓该花的花，该省的省. Without 该, V的V，V的V (走的走，留的留) says what different people did: some left, some stayed.
Examples
两人还定下一条原则：该花的花，该省的省。
They also settled on one rule: spend where it matters and save where you can.
孩子上了大学，该放手的放手，该管的还得管。
Once your child is at university, let go where you should, but keep an eye on what still needs it.
开会的时候，该说的说，不该说的别乱说。
In meetings, say what needs saying and keep quiet about the rest.
Learn this in Lesson 128 · HSK 7–9: 装修一套房 (Doing up a flat)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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