Chinese word

事半功倍

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì bàn gōng bèi

Meaning

  • idiomget more done with less effort

Example

这样做可以事半功倍。zhè yàng zuò ké yǐ shì bàn gōng bèi

Doing this can get more done with less effort.

Illustration for 事半功倍 (get more done with less effort)

More examples

他用了新的方法，事半功倍地完成任务。tā yòng le xīn de fāng fǎ shì bàn gōng bèi dì wán chéng rèn wù

He used a new method and finished the task with half the effort.

Core concept

The right approach increases the return from each unit of time, effort, or preparation.

Common phrases

  • 达到事半功倍的效果dá dào shì bàn gōng bèi de xiào guǒ

    get twice the results with half the effort

  • 事半功倍地完成任务shì bàn gōng bèi dì wán chéng rèn wù

    finish a task with half the effort

Similar words

一举两得yì jú liǎng dé: Getting two benefits through a single action.
一劳永逸yì láo yǒng yì: Doing the needed work once and avoiding further effort on the problem for a long time.
事倍功半shì bèi gōng bàn: Using twice the effort to achieve only half the results.

Definition in Chinese

事情做得更省力却取得更大效果，常用于形容做法或方法的高效性。shì qíng zuò de gèng shěng lì què qǔ dé gèng dà xiào guǒ cháng yòng yú xíng róng zuò fǎ huò fāng fǎ de gāo xiào xìng

Word origin

事 (shì, "matter") + 半 (bàn, "half") contrasts with 功 (gōng, "achievement") + 倍 (bèi, "times as much"), forming a compact contrast between reduced work and increased results.

Usage tips

  • The idiom is especially useful for praising preparation or a change in procedure that improves results, not for judging someone as naturally talented.

Other meanings

  • double the resultsidiom

Word lists with this word