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适可而止

shì kě ér zhǐdictionary entry
DEFINITION CC-CEDICT
(idiom) to refrain from going too far / to know when to stop
Sources & editorial notes

Reference definitions: CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source release 2026-10-27T01:55:52Z. Imported 2026-10-27. Definition wording and meaning order are retained. Recognized pronunciation references are displayed with tone marks; the original source record is available below.

Source record: cd-4416bdf1731e4400. Source SHA-256: bbc4b27f26bee1a262f4d7939667a040c7857c7fc0200a2fa7a86d3352a09eae.

Original source entry:

適可而止 适可而止 [shi4 ke3 er2 zhi3] /(idiom) to refrain from going too far; to know when to stop/

Reference definitions and teaching material have separate provenance.

Reference information

The definitions above are from CC-CEDICT. Examples and usage notes are available on selected entries.

Character information

View the individual characters. Their meanings do not necessarily explain the meaning of the whole word.

Other forms in these source records: 適可而止

  • 适
    kuò

    see 李适[Lǐ Kuò]

    shì

    to fit / suitable / proper / just (now) / comfortable / well / to go / to follow or pursue

    Shì

    surname Shi

  • 可
    kě

    (prefix) can / may / able to / -able / to approve / to permit / to suit / (particle used for emphasis) certainly / very / but / however

    kè

    used in 可汗[kè hán]

  • 而
    ér

    and / as well as / and so / but (not) / yet (not) / (indicates causal relation) / (indicates change of state) / (indicates contrast)

  • 止
    zhǐ

    to stop / to prohibit / until / only

Reference definitions from CC-CEDICT.