Definition
自不量力 is a four-character idiom meaning 'to overestimate one's abilities' or 'to bite off more than one can chew'. Literally, 'to not measure one's own strength'. It is used to describe someone who attempts something beyond their capability, often with a critical or self-deprecating tone.
f.e.
to overestimate one's own abilitiesto bite off more than one can chew
Examples
- ，自不量力。Tā jūrán xiǎng yí ge rén bān dòng nà ge dà xiāngzi, zhēn shì zì bú.He actually thought he could move that big box alone — he really overestimated himself.
- ，自不量力。Wǒ dāngchū xiǎng sān ge yuè xuéhuì Zhōngwén, xiànzài kànlái shì zì bú le.I originally thought I could learn Chinese in three months; now it seems I was overestimating myself.
- 自不量力，。Bié zì bú le, zhège rènwu xūyào tuánduì hézuò.Don't overestimate yourself — this task requires teamwork.
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