两害相权取其轻

兩害相權取其輕
liǎnghàixiāngquánqǔqíqīng

to choose the lesser of two evils

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 两 liǎng
  1. two
  2. both
  3. some
  4. a few
  5. tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤 jīn (old)
=2 害 hài
  1. to do harm to
  2. to cause trouble to
  3. harm
  4. evil
  5. calamity
=2 害 hé
  1. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 曷 (hé, “why”)
  2. alternative form of 曷 (hé, “why”)
=3 相 Xiāng surname Xiang
=3 相 xiāng
  1. each other
  2. one another
  3. mutually
  4. fret on the neck of a pipa 琵琶 pípa (a fret on the soundboard is called a 品 pǐn)
=3 相 xiàng
  1. appearance
  2. portrait
  3. picture
  4. government minister
  5. (physics) phase
  6. (literary) to appraise (esp. by scrutinizing physical features)
  7. to read sb's fortune (by physiognomy, palmistry etc)
=4 权 Quán surname Quan
=4 权 quán
  1. authority
  2. power
  3. right
  4. (literary) to weigh
  5. expedient
  6. temporary
5 取 qǔ
  1. to take
  2. to get
  3. to choose
  4. to fetch
=6 其 qí
  1. his
  2. her
  3. its
  4. their
  5. that
  6. such
  7. it (refers to sth preceding it)
=6 其 jī
  1. (obsolete) Used at the end of a sentence to show doubt.
  2. (obsolete) Used in personal names.
  3. Used at the end of a sentence to show doubt.
  4. Used in personal names.
=6 其 jì
  1. (archaic) only used in 彼其
  2. only used in 彼其
7 轻 qīng
  1. light
  2. easy
  3. gentle
  4. soft
  5. reckless
  6. unimportant
  7. frivolous
  8. small in number
  9. unstressed
  10. neutral
  11. to disparage