Chinese word

持之以恒

Pronunciation

Pinyinchí zhī yǐ héng

Meaning

  • idiomkeep at it

Example

想要成功，你就要持之以恒。xiǎng yào chéng gōng nǐ jiù yào chí zhī yǐ héng

If you want to succeed, you have to keep at it.

Illustration for 持之以恒 (keep at it)

More examples

父母应从小培养孩子持之以恒的习惯。fù mǔ yìng cóng xiǎo péi yǎng hái zi chí zhī yǐ héng de xí guàn

Parents should develop the habit of sticking with things in their children from a young age.

Core concept

Steady commitment carries an effort through delays and setbacks without giving up.

Common phrases

  • 培养持之以恒的习惯péi yǎng chí zhī yǐ héng de xí guàn

    develop the habit of sticking with things

  • 在工作中要持之以恒zài gōng zuò zhōng yào chí zhī yǐ héng

    keep at it at work

Similar words

坚持不懈jiān chí bú xiè: Steady persistence that keeps an effort going without letting up.
锲而不舍qiè ér bù shě: Patient dedication to repeated small efforts without abandoning the goal.
百折不挠bǎi zhé bù náo: The strength to recover from many setbacks and continue trying.

Definition in Chinese

怀着持久的决心持续做一件事，不轻言放弃。huái zhe chí jiǔ de jué xīn chí xù zuò yí jiàn shì bù qīng yán fàng qì

Word origin

持之以恒 (chízhīyǐhéng, "to keep at it") joins 持 (chí, "hold") with 恒 (héng, "constant"), while 之 (zhī, "it") and 以 (yǐ, "with") connect the idea of keeping something constant.

Usage tips

  • Because it can sound like a maxim, this idiom is especially natural in encouragement, advice, and statements about long projects.

Other meanings

  • see it throughidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word