宁可信其有，不可信其无 — “It's advisable to assume something is true or exists”
宁可信其有，不可信其无 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it's advisable to assume something is true or exists”. Especially when there are potential risks or consequences, rather than dismissing it and possibly facing negative outcomes. It's better to be safe than sorry. Literally, “Rather believe it exists than believe it doesn't exist”.
宁可信其有，不可信其无 Pronunciation and Pinyin
宁可信其有，不可信其无 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 宁可信其有，不可信其无
Idioms Related to 宁可信其有，不可信其无
Synonyms of 宁可信其有，不可信其无
More idioms starting with 宁
- níng宁yǔ与qiān千rén人hǎo好，，mò莫yǔ与yī一rén人dí敌Better to be friends with many than enemy with one
- níng宁wèi为tài太píng平quǎn犬，，mò莫zuò作lí离luàn乱rén人Better a dog in peace than a person in chaos
- níng宁wèi为tài太píng平gǒu狗，，mò莫zuò作lí离luàn乱rén人Better a dog in peace than a human in chaos
- nìng宁wéi为yù玉suì碎，，bù不wéi为wǎ瓦quán全Rather die with honor than live in disgrace
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡kǒu口，，bù不wèi为niú牛hòu后Better to lead small than serve large
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡kǒu口，，wù勿wèi为niú牛hòu后Better be a small leader than a big follower
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡kǒu口，，wú无wéi为niú牛hòu后Better to lead small than follow large
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡kǒu口，，wú毋wèi为niú牛hòu后Better lead small than follow large
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡shī尸，，bù不wèi为niú牛cóng从Better to lead small than follow large
- níng宁wèi为jī鸡shī尸，，wú无wéi为niú牛cóng从Better to lead a small group than serve a large one
- nìng宁kě可qīng清pín贫，，bù不zuò作zhuó浊fù富Prefer honest poverty to ill-gotten wealth
Recommended tools
Writing Worksheets
Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
Open the tool →
Picture Worksheets
Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets
Open the tool →
Chinese Text Image Generator
Create PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
Open the tool →
Stroke Order Animator
Turn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
Open the tool →Questions about 宁可信其有，不可信其无
What does 宁可信其有，不可信其无 mean?
宁可信其有，不可信其无 (nìng kě xìn qí yǒu ， bù kě xìn qí wú) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “it's advisable to assume something is true or exists”.
How do you pronounce 宁可信其有，不可信其无?
宁可信其有，不可信其无 is pronounced nìng kě xìn qí yǒu ， bù kě xìn qí wú in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 宁可信其有，不可信其无 literally mean?
Literally, 宁可信其有，不可信其无 means “Rather believe it exists than believe it doesn't exist”. It is used to mean “it's advisable to assume something is true or exists”.
What is the Chinese definition of 宁可信其有，不可信其无?
宁：宁愿。宁愿相信它有，不可相信它没有。指做事要有充分的准备