量体裁衣
liàng tǐ cái yī
to tailor something to real needs
Character by character
量liàng
measure
measure
体tǐ
body
body
裁cái
cut
cut
衣yī
clothes
clothes
Example
老师根据每个学生的情况量体裁衣，制定不同的学习计划。
The teacher tailors her approach to each pupil and draws up different study plans.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
A tailor measures before cutting. Used of plans, policies and products made to fit the people they serve; close to 因地制宜 (to fit the place, lesson 1-1) and 对症下药 (to fit the problem, lesson 2-7).
Learn this in Lesson 69 · HSK 6: 中国品牌出海 (Chinese companies go global)
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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