万丈高楼平地起
From ground up
Littéralement: Ten-thousand (万) zhang (丈) high (高) building (楼) from flat (平) ground (地) rises (起)
Use this to inspire others (or yourself) when starting a massive, daunting long-term project from scratch.
En 15 secondes
- Big things start small.
- Focus on building a solid foundation first.
- Success requires patience and starting from zero.
Signification
It means that even the most massive achievements start with a single, humble step. Just like a skyscraper needs a solid foundation, your big dreams require starting from the very bottom.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Encouraging a friend starting a new language
别担心，万丈高楼平地起，慢慢来。
Don't worry, even a skyscraper starts from the ground; take it slow.
A CEO addressing new employees
万丈高楼平地起，希望大家从基层做起，磨练自己。
Great things start from the ground up; I hope you all start from the basics to hone your skills.
Texting a sibling about their new startup
加油！万丈高楼平地起，我看好你！
Go for it! Every giant tower starts from the ground, I believe in you!
Contexte culturel
This expression draws on traditional Chinese units of measurement like the 'zhang' (approx 3.3 meters) to emphasize immense scale. It reflects a Confucian emphasis on steady progress and the importance of 'jichu' (fundamentals) in education and martial arts. It became a staple of motivational rhetoric in modern China during periods of rapid urban development.
The 'Foundation' Connection
In Chinese, the word for 'foundation' is `基础` (jīchǔ). Whenever you talk about `基础`, this phrase is its best friend. Use them together to sound like a pro.
Don't Sound Preachy
If you say this to someone who is already working extremely hard, it might sound like you're telling them they aren't doing enough. Use a warm tone!
En 15 secondes
- Big things start small.
- Focus on building a solid foundation first.
- Success requires patience and starting from zero.
What It Means
Think of the tallest skyscraper you have ever seen. It did not just appear out of thin air. It started as a hole in the dirt. This phrase 万丈高楼平地起 reminds you that greatness takes time. You cannot skip the boring, basic steps. Everything impressive has a simple beginning. It is about patience and respecting the process.
How To Use It
You use this to encourage someone facing a huge task. It works like a verbal pat on the back. Use it when a friend starts a new business. Use it when you are struggling with basic grammar. It shifts the focus from the scary end goal to the manageable start. It is a very grounding thing to say.
When To Use It
Use it in a graduation speech to inspire students. Text it to a friend who just joined the gym. It is perfect for business meetings about long-term strategy. If someone feels overwhelmed by a project, say this. It reminds them that being at the bottom is normal. Even CEOs started by filing papers or making coffee.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for quick, easy tasks. If you are just making a sandwich, it sounds ridiculous. Avoid using it if someone is grieving a loss. It is a motivational tool, not a sympathy card. Also, do not use it to dismiss someone's valid complaints about unfairness. It should feel inspiring, not like a lecture on hard work.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture deeply values the 'foundation' or 基础. This comes from centuries of architectural and philosophical tradition. In the past, building a stable home was the ultimate sign of success. This phrase reflects the agrarian roots of Chinese society. You plant the seed, then you wait for the harvest. There are no shortcuts to a 'ten-thousand zhang' height.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say 打好基础 (build a good foundation). Another similar one is 千里之行，始于足下 (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step). However, the 'high building' version is more visual. It emphasizes the scale of the final result. It is the more 'epic' version of the sentiment.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very versatile across all registers. The main 'gotcha' is ensuring you aren't using it for trivial, one-off tasks; it implies a grand scale or a long-term endeavor.
The 'Foundation' Connection
In Chinese, the word for 'foundation' is `基础` (jīchǔ). Whenever you talk about `基础`, this phrase is its best friend. Use them together to sound like a pro.
Don't Sound Preachy
If you say this to someone who is already working extremely hard, it might sound like you're telling them they aren't doing enough. Use a warm tone!
The Magic Number
The number `万` (ten thousand) is used in Chinese to mean 'infinite' or 'huge.' It's not literally 10,000 zhang—it just means 'really, really tall!'
Exemples
6别担心，万丈高楼平地起，慢慢来。
Don't worry, even a skyscraper starts from the ground; take it slow.
Used here to ease anxiety about being a beginner.
万丈高楼平地起，希望大家从基层做起，磨练自己。
Great things start from the ground up; I hope you all start from the basics to hone your skills.
Professional encouragement to value entry-level work.
加油！万丈高楼平地起，我看好你！
Go for it! Every giant tower starts from the ground, I believe in you!
Short, punchy support via text.
我今天学会了写‘一’字，真是万丈高楼平地起啊！
I learned to write the character for 'one' today; truly, a skyscraper starts from the ground!
Self-deprecating humor about a tiny accomplishment.
回想当年，真是万丈高楼平地起，不容易啊。
Looking back, we really built this from nothing; it wasn't easy.
Emotional reflection on a lifetime of work.
基础最重要，万丈高楼平地起嘛。
The foundation is most important; after all, tall buildings start from the ground.
Using 'ma' at the end makes it sound like common sense advice.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the encouragement.
你想当大厨？没问题，___，先从洗菜开始吧！
Since the context is about starting from the bottom (washing vegetables) to reach a big goal (chef), this phrase is perfect.
Which context best fits this phrase?
When should you say '万丈高楼平地起'?
It helps ground them by reminding them that everyone starts at the beginning.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum
Texting friends about a new gym routine.
加油，万丈高楼平地起！
Giving advice to a younger cousin.
别急，万丈高楼平地起。
Opening a business keynote speech.
正如古语云：万丈高楼平地起...
Where to use 'From the Ground Up'
Learning a Skill
Mastering the basics of coding.
Starting a Business
Renting your first tiny office.
Fitness Journey
Struggling through your first mile.
Home Renovation
Fixing the foundation of an old house.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! While it sounds poetic, people use it in casual conversation all the time to encourage each other. It's like saying 'Rome wasn't built in a day' in English.
Usually, no. It is almost always used in a positive, motivational context. You wouldn't use it to describe a 'tower of lies' or something bad growing.
A 丈 (zhàng) is a traditional Chinese unit of length. One zhang is about 3.3 meters, so 'ten thousand zhang' is an incredibly high distance!
They are very similar! 千里之行，始于足下 focuses on the 'step,' while 万丈高楼平地起 focuses on the 'structure' and foundation. You can use either.
Sometimes people just say the first half in very specific contexts, but it's best to say the whole thing. The rhythm of the seven characters is what makes it sound good.
Yes, it's very appropriate for a professional email, especially when discussing long-term growth or project planning. It shows you have a vision.
Yes, though they might use it slightly more ironically or humorously when they are struggling with a basic task like cooking an egg.
Don't mix up the order. It must be 平地起 (from flat ground rises) at the end. Saying '起平地' would sound very strange.
No, it is a secular, philosophical expression. It's about practical wisdom and the reality of how things are built.
Indirectly, yes. You can say someone's success is due to their solid foundation, using 万丈高楼平地起 to explain their steady rise.
Expressions liées
千里之行，始于足下
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
循序渐进
To make steady progress in a step-by-step manner.
打好基础
To lay a solid foundation.
冰冻三尺，非一日之寒
Three feet of ice isn't formed in one day (Persistence/Time).
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement