适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
to know when to stop
Character by character
适shì
fit
fit
可kě
enough
enough
而ér
and
and
止zhǐ
stop
stop
Example
开玩笑要适可而止，别太过分。
Know when to stop joking; don't go too far.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Advice on drinking, joking and spending.
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