没有规矩，何以成方圆
méi​yǒu​guī​ju​hé​yǐ​chéng​fāng​yuán

without rules, how can anything be done

  1. 没有 沒有 méi​yǒu verb
    to not have
    to not possess something or for something to not exist; there is not; to be without
  2. 规矩 規矩 guī​ju noun
    rule
    established rule, custom, or practice; social etiquette or manners
  3. ， hé
    non-Chinese
  4. 何以 hé​yǐ
    why
    (literary) why; for what reason; used to ask why something happened or is the case
  5. 成 chéng verbparticle
    to become
    to become; to turn into; to change into
  6. 方圆 方圓 fāng​yuán
    squares and circles
    squares and circles; the physical shape of objects; specifically refers to rules or order in the idiom 没有规矩，不成方圆 méi​yǒu​guī​ju​bù​chéng​fāng​yuán