绳锯木断
Constant effort yields success
حرفيًا: Rope saws wood break
Use this to praise or encourage long-term persistence when progress feels slow but steady.
في 15 ثانية
- Persistence overcomes even the toughest obstacles over time.
- Small, consistent actions eventually lead to massive breakthroughs.
- A soft rope can saw through wood with enough time.
المعنى
This phrase describes how even the weakest force can achieve a massive result through sheer persistence. It's like saying that if you rub a soft rope against a hard log long enough, the wood will eventually snap.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Encouraging a friend studying for the HSK 6
别放弃，绳锯木断，你每天的努力都会有回报的。
Don't give up; constant effort yields success, and your daily hard work will pay off.
A manager encouraging a team on a year-long project
虽然进展缓慢，但只要我们坚持下去，终会绳锯木断。
Although progress is slow, as long as we persist, we will eventually succeed.
Texting a friend about their gym progress
看到你的进步了！真是绳锯木断啊。
I see your progress! Persistence really does pay off.
خلفية ثقافية
Originating from the Song Dynasty book 'He Lin Yu Lu', this expression highlights the traditional Chinese emphasis on 'Gongfu' (time and effort). It suggests that success isn't about luck or sudden bursts of energy, but about the cumulative power of daily discipline. It is deeply rooted in the agrarian history of China, where long-term seasons and steady labor were the keys to survival.
The 'Power Couple' Phrase
If you want to sound like a native pro, always follow `绳锯木断` with `水滴石穿` (shuǐ dī shí chuān). They are like the 'Batman and Robin' of Chinese idioms.
Don't use it for 'Speed'
This phrase is about the *process*, not the result. If someone just finished a task quickly, don't use this. It implies the task was long and grueling.
في 15 ثانية
- Persistence overcomes even the toughest obstacles over time.
- Small, consistent actions eventually lead to massive breakthroughs.
- A soft rope can saw through wood with enough time.
What It Means
Imagine a thin, soft hemp rope. Now imagine a thick, solid wooden log. Normally, the wood wins. But if you pull that rope back and forth across the log for years, the rope acts like a saw. Eventually, the wood breaks. This phrase is about the incredible power of persistence. It tells you that small, daily actions lead to big breakthroughs. It is not about strength. It is about never stopping.
How To Use It
You usually use 绳锯木断 to encourage someone. It works best when someone feels stuck. You are telling them that their small efforts are actually working. You can use it as a standalone comment or within a sentence. It often pairs with 水滴石穿 (water drips through stone). Together, they make you sound very wise and encouraging.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is studying for a big exam. Use it when a colleague is working on a long-term project. It is perfect for fitness goals or learning a new skill. If you are texting a friend who is frustrated with Chinese characters, send this. It shows you recognize their hard work. It fits well in graduation speeches or performance reviews too.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for things that need to happen fast. If a house is on fire, do not say 绳锯木断. That would be very annoying. It is also not for luck-based situations. Do not use it for winning the lottery. It implies a long, slow process. Avoid using it if someone is already burnt out. They might need a break, not a lecture on persistence.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the Song Dynasty writer Luo Dajing. He wrote about a local official who punished a small theft. The official argued that even small bad acts add up. Over time, the meaning flipped to focus on positive persistence. It reflects a core Chinese value: the 'marathon' mindset. In Chinese culture, steady effort is often respected more than sudden genius.
Common Variations
You will almost always see it as 绳锯木断，水滴石穿. This double-whammy emphasizes that both rope and water can conquer wood and stone. Sometimes people just say 持之以恒 (persevere) for something simpler. But 绳锯木断 adds a poetic, visual touch to your speech.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a C2-level Chengyu. It is primarily used in written Chinese or formal speech, but it is highly effective in personal encouragement to show deep empathy for someone's long-term struggle.
The 'Power Couple' Phrase
If you want to sound like a native pro, always follow `绳锯木断` with `水滴石穿` (shuǐ dī shí chuān). They are like the 'Batman and Robin' of Chinese idioms.
Don't use it for 'Speed'
This phrase is about the *process*, not the result. If someone just finished a task quickly, don't use this. It implies the task was long and grueling.
The Hidden Moral
In the original story, this was actually a warning against small crimes! It meant 'small thefts add up to a big crime.' Today, we only use the positive version.
أمثلة
6别放弃，绳锯木断，你每天的努力都会有回报的。
Don't give up; constant effort yields success, and your daily hard work will pay off.
Using the phrase to validate their slow but steady progress.
虽然进展缓慢，但只要我们坚持下去，终会绳锯木断。
Although progress is slow, as long as we persist, we will eventually succeed.
Professional encouragement for a long-term goal.
看到你的进步了！真是绳锯木断啊。
I see your progress! Persistence really does pay off.
A slightly more casual way to acknowledge someone's transformation.
孩子，学习没有捷径，唯有绳锯木断的毅力。
Child, there are no shortcuts to learning, only the perseverance of a rope sawing wood.
Classic elder-to-younger wisdom using traditional imagery.
我这慢跑速度，大概得绳锯木断到下个世纪才能瘦。
At my jogging pace, it'll probably take until next century for persistence to pay off and make me thin.
Self-deprecating humor about how slow the 'persistence' is taking.
愿各位在未来的道路上，秉持绳锯木断的精神。
I hope you all uphold the spirit of constant effort on your future paths.
Very formal and inspirational usage.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about long-term success.
学习语言不能急于求成，只有___，才能真正掌握。
The sentence says language learning can't be rushed, so you need 'constant effort' (绳锯木断) to master it.
Which phrase best describes a small force overcoming a large obstacle over time?
他坚持练了十年书法，终于自成一家，真是___。
The context of practicing calligraphy for ten years perfectly matches the 'rope sawing wood' metaphor of long-term persistence.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality and Context of 绳锯木断
Rarely used in slang, sounds a bit 'extra' for casual chat.
Texting a close friend 'Keep going!'
Common in encouraging conversations or advice.
Talking to a student about their grades.
Perfect for speeches, literature, and professional writing.
A CEO's annual address to the company.
When to use 绳锯木断
Academic Struggles
Studying for the Bar exam or HSK.
Fitness Journeys
Training for a marathon from scratch.
Career Growth
Working your way up from an intern.
Artistic Mastery
Practicing an instrument every day for years.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt is a bit formal because it's a four-character idiom (Chengyu). However, using it in a supportive way with friends makes you sound encouraging and educated.
Technically you could, but it's 99% used for positive persistence. For bad habits, people usually use 积羽沉舟 (accumulated feathers sink a boat).
'Practice makes perfect' focuses on skill. 绳锯木断 focuses on the sheer endurance required to break through a barrier.
Yes, it's very appropriate for professional settings, especially when discussing long-term strategy or overcoming market difficulties.
Not really, but you can use 坚持 (jiānchí) if you just want to say 'persist' without the fancy imagery.
It is pronounced 'shéng jù mù duàn'. Make sure to get the tones right so it doesn't sound like you're talking about 'raw wood'!
In the metaphor, the rope is the hero. The focus is entirely on the wood breaking, not the rope wearing out. It's about the triumph of the weak over the strong.
It's a bit weird for romance. It sounds like you're 'wearing someone down' to date you. Better to stick to work, study, or self-improvement.
Yes, it is taught in elementary schools and appears frequently in news articles and motivational social media posts.
The most common mistake is using it for a one-time big effort. Remember, it must be a *repeated* small action over a long time.
عبارات ذات صلة
水滴石穿 (Constant dripping wears away the stone)
磨杵成针 (Grind an iron pestle into a needle)
持之以恒 (Persevere in doing something)
锲而不舍 (Work with perseverance and never give up)
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