有始有终...
See it through...
Literalmente: Have beginning, have end.
Use this to praise someone who completes a difficult task with the same effort they started with.
En 15 segundos
- Finish what you start with total dedication.
- A high-level compliment for reliability and persistence.
- Used in both professional and personal achievement contexts.
Significado
It means finishing what you started with the same energy you had at the beginning. It is the ultimate praise for someone who is reliable and doesn't quit halfway through a task.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Praising a coworker after a long project
王经理做事向来有始有终，大家都很信任他。
Manager Wang always sees things through; everyone trusts him.
Encouraging a friend who wants to quit a marathon
既然已经跑了一半了，就要有始有终，坚持到底！
Since you've run half already, see it through and persist to the end!
A teacher talking to a student about a messy essay
写文章要有始有终，结尾不能太马虎。
Writing an essay requires a proper finish; don't be sloppy at the end.
Contexto cultural
Rooted in the 'Book of Rites' and 'Xunzi,' this expression highlights the traditional Chinese virtue of perseverance. It suggests that a person's true character is revealed not by how they begin a journey, but by how they conclude it. In modern business, it is a highly valued trait for leadership and reliability.
The 'Action' Verb
You can use this as an adverbial phrase by adding '地' (de). For example: '有始有终地完成任务' (To finish a task with a beginning and an end).
Don't confuse with 'Always'
While it implies consistency, it's specifically about the *completion* of a cycle. Don't use it to mean 'I always eat apples.'
En 15 segundos
- Finish what you start with total dedication.
- A high-level compliment for reliability and persistence.
- Used in both professional and personal achievement contexts.
What It Means
Think of that friend who starts a 1,000-piece puzzle and actually finishes it. That is yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng. It describes a person who sees things through to the very end. It is about consistency and integrity. You aren't just starting things for the hype. You are finishing them because you care about the result.
How To Use It
You can use it as a compliment for a hardworking colleague. You can also use it as a personal mantra when you're tired. It usually functions as an adjective or a verb phrase. You might say someone 'does things' yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng. It is a very positive, grounding expression. It makes you sound like a person who values character.
When To Use It
Use it when a project finally wraps up after months of work. Use it when someone stays late to clean up after a party. It is perfect for graduation speeches or performance reviews. If you are texting a friend who finally finished a long book series, send this. It shows you recognize their dedication and persistence.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that shouldn't have an end. Like a friendship or a marriage—that sounds a bit like you're waiting for it to be over! Avoid using it for quick, trivial tasks like brushing your teeth. It is also not for negative habits. You wouldn't say someone is yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng about being late to meetings. That's just being consistently annoying!
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from ancient Chinese philosophy and literature. It reflects the Confucian value of 'Sincerity' and 'Persistence.' In Chinese culture, 'finishing' is often seen as more important than 'starting.' Many people have great ideas, but few have the 'heart' to finish them. This phrase separates the dreamers from the doers. It is a hallmark of a 'Junzi' or a person of noble character.
Common Variations
The opposite is yǒu shǐ wú zhōng, meaning 'to start but not finish.' You might also hear shǐ zhōng rú yī. This means 'the beginning and end are the same.' It emphasizes that your attitude didn't change at all. While yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng focuses on the completion, shǐ zhōng rú yī focuses on the unwavering spirit throughout the process.
Notas de uso
This is a versatile Chengyu-style expression. It fits perfectly in performance reviews or when giving someone a 'pat on the back' for their hard work. It carries a sense of moral integrity.
The 'Action' Verb
You can use this as an adverbial phrase by adding '地' (de). For example: '有始有终地完成任务' (To finish a task with a beginning and an end).
Don't confuse with 'Always'
While it implies consistency, it's specifically about the *completion* of a cycle. Don't use it to mean 'I always eat apples.'
The Power of the 'End'
In China, leaving a task 99% finished is often mocked as 'missing the final kick' (欠一脚). Using this phrase shows you aren't that person!
Ejemplos
6王经理做事向来有始有终，大家都很信任他。
Manager Wang always sees things through; everyone trusts him.
Here it acts as a character trait describing his work ethic.
既然已经跑了一半了，就要有始有终，坚持到底！
Since you've run half already, see it through and persist to the end!
Used as an encouraging command to finish a physical challenge.
写文章要有始有终，结尾不能太马虎。
Writing an essay requires a proper finish; don't be sloppy at the end.
Focuses on the quality of the 'end' part of a task.
我终于看完了！我也算是有始有终的人了。
I finally finished it! I guess I'm someone who sees things through.
A slightly humorous way to apply a deep virtue to binge-watching.
做家务要有始有终，洗完碗要把灶台也擦了。
Do chores thoroughly; after washing dishes, wipe the stove too.
Emphasizes that 'finishing' includes the cleanup/details.
我的减肥计划真是有始有终——开始于早餐，结束于午餐。
My diet really saw it through—it started at breakfast and ended at lunch.
Sarcastic use of the phrase to highlight a lack of persistence.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct phrase to describe someone who never leaves a job half-done.
他是一个___的人，从不半途而废。
The sentence says he never gives up halfway (半途而废), so 'seeing things through' (有始有终) is the perfect fit.
Complete the sentence to encourage someone to finish their degree.
大学最后一年最辛苦，但你一定要___。
To finish a degree properly after hard work, one must 'see it through'.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 有始有终
Joking with friends about finishing a meal or a game.
吃火锅要有始有终，汤也要喝掉！
General daily encouragement or describing someone's habits.
他做事很有始有终。
Business meetings, speeches, or written evaluations.
我们在项目中应当保持有始有终的精神。
Where to use 'See it through'
Completing a degree
Finally graduating after 4 years.
Work Projects
Finishing the final report and filing it.
Fitness Goals
Completing a 30-day workout challenge.
Reading Books
Finishing a thick novel without skipping pages.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt literally means 'to have a beginning and have an end.' It suggests that every action should be a complete circle.
It's a bit risky! It implies the relationship has an 'end.' Use 白头偕老 (grow old together) instead.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business report or while chatting with your mom about cleaning your room.
You can say they are 有始无终 (have a beginning but no end) or 半途而废 (give up halfway).
Not really. It describes a person's effort or the way a task was handled, not the quality of a story's plot.
Yes, it's a very high compliment for someone's reliability and character.
Yes, but it might sound a bit dramatic or humorous, like you're treating the meal as a grand mission.
坚持 means to persist during the process, while 有始有终 emphasizes the satisfaction of reaching the finish line.
Absolutely! Saying 我做事有始有终 (I see things through) is a great way to impress an interviewer.
Yes, 虎头蛇尾 (tiger's head, snake's tail) means starting strong but finishing weak. It's the colorful opposite!
Frases relacionadas
半途而废
To give up halfway.
虎头蛇尾
To start with a bang but end with a whimper.
持之以恒
To persevere over a long period.
善始善终
To start well and end well (very similar, slightly more formal).
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