成则为王，败则为寇 in English cheng2 ze2 wei2 wang2 , bai4 ze2 wei2 kou4 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) called a king if successful, called a bandit if defeated (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically losers are always in the wrong

Simplified Characters

成 则 为 王 ， 败 则 为 寇

Traditional Characters

成 則 為 王 ， 敗 則 為 寇

Pinyin

cheng2 ze2 wei2 wang2 , bai4 ze2 wei2 kou4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

成cheng2surname Cheng 则ze2(conjunction used to express contrast with a previous clause) but 为wei4as (in the capacity of) 王wang2surname Wang ， 败bai4to defeat 则ze2(conjunction used to express contrast with a previous clause) but 为wei4as (in the capacity of) 寇kou4old variant of 寇[kou4]