量力而行

量力而行 liàng lì ér xíng ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ loeng6 lik6 ji4 hang4

to assess one's capabilities and act accordingly (idiom); to act within one's competence
One does what one can.

Stroke order

Practice writing

Draw 量 (1 of 4) — stroke by stroke.

Character breakdown

量 radical 里 = 旦里
力 radical 力 = 丿
而 radical 而
行 radical 行 = 彳亍

Example sentences

量力而行。 Pace yourself.
凡事要尽力而为，更要量力而行。 One needs to do their best in all things, and more importantly work within their abilities.
买房要量力而行，但也要把握时机。 One needs to buy a house that's within one's means, but one also needs to grasp an opportunity.
不能过度运动，要量力而行，否则反而对身体造成负面影响。 One can't go beyond one's limits with exercising and stay within the bounds of what one can do. Otherwise, it can have negative effects on the body.

Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY)