寧為雞口，勿為牛後
nìng​wéi​jī​kǒu​wù​wéi​niú​hòu

better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond

  1. 宁 寧 nìng adverb
    would rather
    would rather; to prefer; would sooner
  2. 为 為 wéi verbpreposition
    to be
    to be; to become; to act as; to serve as; to take as
  3. 鸡 雞 jī noun
    chicken
    chicken; fowl; bird of the Galliformes order typically raised for its meat or eggs
  4. 口 kǒu noun
    mouth
    mouth of a person or animal; (bound form) oral
  5. ， wù
    non-Chinese
  6. 勿 wù adverbverb
    do not
    Used in formal or written contexts to express prohibition or advice, similar to 不要 bù​yào or 别 bié.
  7. 为 為 wéi verbpreposition
    to be
    to be; to become; to act as; to serve as; to take as
  8. 牛 niú noun
    ox
    ox; cow; bull; cattle; any of various bovine animals
  9. 后 後 hòu locativenoun
    behind
    (bound form) back; rear; behind; in the direction of one's back