聊胜于无 Better than nothing
Explanation
比完全没有要好一点。指微不足道，但比没有强。
It's slightly better than nothing. It refers to something insignificant, but better than nothing.
Origin Story
从前，有个穷秀才，囊中羞涩，连温饱都成问题。一日，他路过集市，看到一个挑着担子卖绣花的老人，绣花针线都很细致精美，虽然卖相不太好，但精致程度远远超过那些批量生产的绣花产品。秀才看后，灵机一动，便向老人买了些绣花针线，回到家后，他利用自己的绘画和书法特长，将这些绣花针线设计成精美绝伦的礼品套装，再以高价售出，结果赚得盆满钵满，最终走出了困境，过上了小康生活。虽然一开始的绣花针线看似微不足道，但恰恰是这些“聊胜于无”的绣花针线，给了秀才逆袭的机会。
Once upon a time, there was a poor scholar who was so poor that he could barely survive. One day, he passed a market and saw an old man selling embroidered needles and threads. The needles and threads weren’t particularly beautiful, but the workmanship was far superior to mass-produced embroidered products. The scholar had an idea and bought some embroidered needles and threads. At home, he used his skills in painting and calligraphy to design exquisite gift sets from the needles and threads, and sold them at high prices. In the end, he made a lot of money, overcame his difficulties, and lived a comfortable life. Although the embroidered needles and threads seemed insignificant at first, they gave the scholar the opportunity to change his life.
Usage
表示虽然少，但是比没有好。通常用于安慰或自我安慰。
It expresses that something is small, but better than nothing. It is usually used to comfort or self-comfort.
Examples
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虽然这份礼物很简陋，但聊胜于无。
Suiran zhefen liwu hen jianlou, dan liaoshengyuwu
Although this gift is simple, it's better than nothing.
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虽然工作辛苦，但能拿到微薄的薪水也聊胜于无
Suiran gongzuo kuxin, dan neng na dao weibao de xinshui ye liaoshengyuwu
Although the work is hard, it is still better than nothing to get a small salary