水滴石穿
水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān) literally means “water drops pierce stone” and expresses “persistence achieves anything”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Persistence achieves anything
Pronunciation: shuǐ dī shí chuān
Literal meaning: Water drops pierce stone
Origin & Usage
This idiom captures the power of persistence through the image of water (水) drops (滴) piercing (穿) stone (石). First documented in Han Dynasty texts, it was inspired by observations of natural cave formations created by centuries of dripping water. The imagery gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty as Buddhist teachers used it to illustrate the power of consistent practice in spiritual cultivation. During the Song Dynasty, it became associated with the imperial examination system, encouraging students to persist in their studies despite initial failures. Modern usage emphasizes that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved through consistent effort over time, particularly resonating in educational and personal development contexts.
Examples
English: "With consistent practice, she finally mastered the difficult skill"
Chinese: 通过持续练习，她终于掌握了这项难度很大的技能
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 水滴石穿 mean in English?
水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān) literally translates to “Water drops pierce stone” and is used to express “Persistence achieves anything”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 水滴石穿 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving persistence achieves anything.
What is the pinyin for 水滴石穿?
The pinyin pronunciation for 水滴石穿 is “shuǐ dī shí chuān”.