心有余，力不足 in English xin1 you3 yu2 , li4 bu4 zu2 Meaning

Meanings

  • The will is there, but not the strength (idiomatic expression, from Confucian Analects).
  • I really want to do it, but don't have the resources.
  • The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Simplified Characters

心 有 余 ， 力 不 足

Traditional Characters

心 有 餘 ， 力 不 足

Pinyin

xin1 you3 yu2 , li4 bu4 zu2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

心xin1heart 有you3to have 余yu2surname Yu ， 力li4surname Li 不bu4(negative prefix) 足zu2excessive