# 三思而行

sān sī ér xíng

Think carefully before acting

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Think three times and then act

**Register:** Practical · conversational

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use to urge reflection before an important choice.

Three is figurative; the point is thoughtful consideration.

## Behind the words

The Analects records discussion of repeated reflection before acting. The familiar expression became advice to avoid hasty decisions.

三 is an emphatic number in this expression rather than a literal requirement to think exactly three times. The idiom advises reflection before an action with meaningful consequences. It fits decisions where a pause allows risks and alternatives to be examined. It should not become an excuse for avoiding every decision indefinitely.

## Examples

签合同之前，最好三思而行。

### Traditional Chinese

籤合同之前，最好三思而行。

qiān hé tong zhī qián ， zuì hǎo sān sī ér xíng 。

Before signing a contract, it is best to think it through carefully.

这份合同关系到未来几年，签字之前最好三思而行。

### Traditional Chinese

這份合同關係到未來幾年，簽字之前最好三思而行。

zhè fèn hé tong guān xì dào wèi lái jǐ nián ， qiān zì zhī qián zuì hǎo sān sī ér xíng 。

The contract affects the next few years, so consider it carefully before signing.

辞职是个重要决定，还是三思而行为好。

### Traditional Chinese

辭職是個重要決定，還是三思而行為好。

cí zhí shì gè zhòng yào jué dìng ， hái shì sān sī ér xíng wèi hǎo 。

Resigning is an important decision and deserves careful thought.

看到便宜的投资机会，也要三思而行。

### Traditional Chinese

看到便宜的投資機會，也要三思而行。

kàn dào pián yi de tóu zī jī huì ， yě yào sān sī ér xíng 。

Even an apparently cheap investment deserves careful consideration.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=447&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%89%E6%80%9D%E8%80%8C%E8%A1%8C)

## Keep exploring

- [山穷水尽 shān qióng shuǐ jìn Reach a point with no apparent way forward ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shan-qiong-shui-jin)

- [上下其手 shàng xià qí shǒu Manipulate a process dishonestly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shang-xia-qi-shou)

- [舍本逐末 shě běn zhú mò Neglect the essential to pursue the minor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/she-ben-zhu-mo)

- [深思熟虑 shēn sī shú lǜ Consider something thoroughly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shen-si-shu-lv)

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