Chinese word

滴水穿石

Pronunciation

Pinyindī shuǐ chuān shí

Meaning

  • idiompersistence pays off

Example

每天学一点，滴水穿石，进步很快。měi tiān xué yì diǎn dī shuǐ chuān shí jìn bù hěn kuài

Studying a little every day leads to rapid progress, as persistence pays off.

Illustration for 滴水穿石 (persistence pays off)

More examples

他像滴水穿石一样坚持不懈，终于通过了考试。tā xiàng dī shuǐ chuān shí yí yàng jiān chí bú xiè zhōng yú tōng guò le kǎo shì

He kept at it like water wearing through stone and finally passed the exam.

Core concept

Small actions repeated over time can reshape something that once seemed unchangeable.

Common phrases

  • 像滴水穿石一样坚持不懈xiàng dī shuǐ chuān shí yí yàng jiān chí bú xiè

    persevere like dripping water wears through stone

Similar words

坚持不懈jiān chí bú xiè: Persistent effort continues without giving up.
锲而不舍qiè ér bù shě: Repeated effort moves forward step by step without stopping.
持之以恒chí zhī yǐ héng: Steady effort continues unchanged over a long period.
不屈不挠bù qū bù náo: Determined action faces difficulties without giving in.

Definition in Chinese

比喻只要持之以恒，微小的努力经过长期积累就能产生显著的效果。bǐ yù zhǐ yào chí zhī yǐ héng wēi xiǎo de nǔ lì jīng guò cháng qī jī lěi jiù néng chǎn shēng xiǎn zhù de xiào guǒ

Word origin

滴水穿石 (dīshuǐchuānshí, "dripping water pierces stone") joins a tiny drop with the lasting force of repeated action, turning a literal scene into a lesson about persistence.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this idiom suits encouragement about a long project or habit, not a result expected after one short burst of effort.

Opposites

Word lists with this word