不自量力
bù zì liàng lì
to overrate one’s own strength; to bite off more than one can chew
Character by character
不bù
not
not
自zì
oneself
oneself
量liàng
measure
measure
力lì
strength
strength
Example
他刚学会游泳，就想横渡长江，真是不自量力。
He has only just learnt to swim and he wants to cross the Yangtze: he is overreaching himself.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
A criticism, of others or (modestly) of oneself: 我不自量力地报了名. The opposite of 量力而行 (lesson 2-2), to act within one’s strength; 自不量力 is a common variant.
Learn this in Lesson 145 · HSK 7–9: 鳌太线 (The Aotai trail)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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