Chinese characters and pinyin
Simplified: 三思而后行
Traditional: 三思而後行
Pinyin: sān sī ér hòu xíng
Literal translation
Think three times, then act.
Natural English meaning
Consider a decision carefully before taking action.
Closest English equivalent
Look before you leap.
Both advise caution, while the Chinese wording places more emphasis on repeated reflection.
When to use it
Use it before an important or difficult-to-reverse decision.
When not to use it
Do not use it to justify endless delay when timely action is required.
Example sentence
签合同前一定要三思而后行。
Think carefully before signing the contract.
Origin and cultural context
The Analects says that Ji Wenzi thought three times before acting; Confucius adds that thinking twice would have been enough. The first clause later became a general maxim about deliberation.
Classification: classical quotation. This label distinguishes a complete proverb or popular saying from a compact idiom or a quotation preserved from a classical text.
