量入为出
liàng rù wéi chū
to live within your means
Character by character
量liàng
measure
measure
入rù
income
income
为wéi
make
make
出chū
outgo
outgo
Example
过日子要量入为出，别乱花钱。
Live within your means and don't waste money.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
量 is liàng (measure), 为 is wéi. Opposite: 入不敷出.
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