久久为功
Make persistent efforts
Littéralement: Long long for achievement
Use this to describe a commitment to a long-term goal that requires years of steady work.
En 15 secondes
- Success through long-term, steady, and consistent effort.
- The marathon mindset: endurance over speed.
- Commonly used for grand goals like career or environment.
Signification
This phrase describes the act of working steadily and patiently on a long-term goal. It is about the power of consistency and endurance over a long period rather than a quick burst of energy.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Encouraging a friend learning a difficult skill
学习汉语不能急于求成，需要久久为功。
Learning Chinese can't be rushed; it requires persistent effort.
A manager discussing a new company strategy
品牌建设是一个久久为功的过程。
Building a brand is a process that requires persistent effort.
Texting a friend about a fitness journey
减肥没有捷径，只能久久为功了。
There are no shortcuts to losing weight; I just have to keep at it long-term.
Contexte culturel
While the individual characters are ancient, this specific four-character combination gained massive popularity in the 2010s. It is frequently used by Chinese leadership to describe long-term national projects like poverty alleviation or ecological restoration. It signals a shift from seeking 'quick GDP growth' to 'sustainable, long-term development.'
The 'Power' Character
The `功` (gōng) here refers to 'merit' or 'achievement.' It's the same 'Gong' as in 'Kung Fu.' Think of it as building your skill through time.
Don't rush the 'Long'
The double `久久` (jiǔ jiǔ) emphasizes a very, very long time. If your project only takes a week, using this phrase will make you sound like you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
En 15 secondes
- Success through long-term, steady, and consistent effort.
- The marathon mindset: endurance over speed.
- Commonly used for grand goals like career or environment.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate marathon runner's mindset. It means doing something small but steady for a very long time. It is not about a sudden burst of energy or a quick fix. It is about the slow, unstoppable power of consistency. When you use this phrase, you are saying that success is a slow-cooked meal, not a microwave snack. You are building a legacy through endurance.
How To Use It
You usually use it when discussing big, daunting goals that require years of work. It functions like a verb or a guiding philosophy in a sentence. You can say you need to 久久为功 to see real results in your life. It sounds very wise, determined, and visionary. Use it when you want to show you have the patience to win in the long run. It is a great way to impress people with your long-term perspective.
When To Use It
Use it for things that take years, not days. Think about learning a difficult language like Chinese. Or maybe you are trying to change a company's culture. It is perfect for talking about environmental issues or scientific research. It tells people you are in it for the long haul. Use it in meetings when discussing five-year plans. Use it with friends when talking about your fitness journey or a lifelong hobby.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for your weekend grocery list or a quick chore. If you are just finishing a short homework assignment, skip it. It sounds a bit ridiculous for trivial, short-term tasks. Saying "I need to 久久为功 to finish this sandwich" is way too much. It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Keep it for the big, meaningful stuff in your life.
Cultural Background
This phrase has deep roots in Chinese political and social discourse. It emphasizes that real change doesn't happen overnight. In recent years, it has become a major "buzzword" in official speeches and government documents. It reflects the traditional Chinese value of patience and generational planning. It is about planting a tree today so your grandchildren can enjoy the shade. It is a very respected concept in modern Chinese leadership.
Common Variations
You might hear 持之以恒, which is a very common synonym for persistence. 水滴石穿 (water wears away stone) is the poetic version of this idea. 坚持不懈 is the most common way to say "don't give up" in daily life. However, 久久为功 carries a more official, grander weight. It feels like you are talking about a grand strategy rather than just a personal habit.
Notes d'usage
This is a high-register phrase. While it has become more common in daily life due to its use in media, it still carries a formal and authoritative tone. Use it to show depth of character and long-term vision.
The 'Power' Character
The `功` (gōng) here refers to 'merit' or 'achievement.' It's the same 'Gong' as in 'Kung Fu.' Think of it as building your skill through time.
Don't rush the 'Long'
The double `久久` (jiǔ jiǔ) emphasizes a very, very long time. If your project only takes a week, using this phrase will make you sound like you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
The Political Edge
If you use this in a business meeting with Chinese partners, it signals that you understand their current political and social values of 'steady progress' over 'quick wins.'
Exemples
6学习汉语不能急于求成，需要久久为功。
Learning Chinese can't be rushed; it requires persistent effort.
Here it emphasizes that language mastery is a long-term journey.
品牌建设是一个久久为功的过程。
Building a brand is a process that requires persistent effort.
Used to manage expectations about how long branding takes.
减肥没有捷径，只能久久为功了。
There are no shortcuts to losing weight; I just have to keep at it long-term.
Using a formal phrase in a personal context to show serious commitment.
想让我女朋友不生气，看来得久久为功啊。
To get my girlfriend to stop being mad, looks like I'll need to make persistent efforts.
Using a grand, formal phrase for a domestic situation adds a touch of humor.
治理环境污染必须久久为功，不能半途而废。
Managing environmental pollution must be a persistent effort; we can't give up halfway.
This is the classic, most standard way to use the phrase.
为了这个梦想，我准备好了久久为功。
For this dream, I am prepared to put in the persistent effort for as long as it takes.
Shows deep resolve and emotional commitment.
Teste-toi
Choose the best context for using `久久为功`.
我们要想解决贫困问题，必须要有___的精神。
Poverty alleviation is a massive, long-term task, which perfectly fits the meaning of `久久为功`.
Which verb phrase best matches the spirit of the expression?
只有___，才能在科研领域取得突破。
`久久为功` implies steady effort, whereas the other options imply inconsistency or superficiality.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of Persistence
Used with close friends for small habits.
一直做下去 (Keep doing it)
Standard way to say don't give up.
坚持不懈 (Unremitting)
Used in speeches and for major life goals.
久久为功 (Persistent effort)
Highly literary or ancient style.
锲而不舍 (Carve without stopping)
When to apply '久久为功'
Environmental Policy
Cleaning a river over 10 years.
Career Mastery
Becoming a master craftsman.
Language Learning
Studying Chinese every day for 5 years.
Personal Health
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for life.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically, it functions like a Chengyu (four-character idiom), although it is a more modern construction often categorized as a 'political expression' or 'literary phrase.'
You can, but it might sound a bit 'heavy.' For example, using it for 'drinking more water' is funny, but using it for 'learning to paint' is quite inspiring.
It's pronounced jiǔ jiǔ wéi gōng. Note the third tone on the first two characters, which usually changes to a second tone on the first one when spoken quickly.
坚持 (jiānchí) just means 'to persist.' 久久为功 implies a much longer timeframe and a focus on the eventual 'merit' or 'success' that comes from that persistence.
It is very common in written reports and formal speeches. In daily conversation, people use it when they want to sound serious or philosophical.
No, it is almost always positive. It praises the virtue of patience and the refusal to seek shortcuts.
Yes! You can say 他这种久久为功的精神值得学习 (His spirit of persistent effort is worth learning from).
'Slow and steady wins the race' or 'Rome wasn't built in a day' capture the spirit, but 久久为功 sounds more like a call to action.
It usually acts as a verb phrase or an adverbial phrase, often following 要 (yào - must) or 需要 (xūyào - need).
It aligns with the national focus on 'high-quality development,' which requires long-term planning rather than the rapid, unsustainable growth of the past.
Expressions liées
持之以恒
To persevere steadily
水滴石穿
Dripping water wears through stone
坚持不懈
Unremitting persistence
锲而不舍
To chip away without giving up
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