Chinese characters and pinyin
Simplified: 磨刀不误砍柴工
Traditional: 磨刀不誤砍柴工
Pinyin: mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng
Literal translation
Sharpening the blade does not delay the work of cutting firewood.
Natural English meaning
Good preparation saves time and improves execution.
Closest English equivalent
Measure twice, cut once.
The Chinese saying defends preparation time; the English one emphasizes checking accuracy.
When to use it
Use it when planning, training, or tool maintenance seems to slow a project initially.
When not to use it
Preparation can become procrastination if it never leads to action.
Example sentence
先把需求弄清楚，磨刀不误砍柴工。
Clarify the requirements first; preparation will make the real work faster.
Origin and cultural context
A practical folk proverb based on agricultural and woodcutting experience.
Classification: proverb. This label distinguishes a complete proverb or popular saying from a compact idiom or a quotation preserved from a classical text.
