天道酬勤
天道酬勤 (tiān dào chóu qín) literally means “heaven's way rewards diligence” and expresses “heaven rewards diligence”. 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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Heaven rewards diligence
Pronunciation: tiān dào chóu qín
Literal meaning: Heaven's way rewards diligence
Origin & Usage
This idiom encapsulates the belief that Heaven's way (天道) rewards (酬) diligence (勤). Emerging from Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian teachings, it reflects the synthesis of cosmic order with human effort. The concept challenged both fatalistic acceptance and the belief in pure luck, suggesting instead that the universe naturally responds to sincere effort. During the Ming Dynasty, it became particularly associated with the imperial examination system, encouraging scholars through years of difficult study. Modern usage extends beyond academic contexts to any field requiring persistent effort, suggesting that dedicated work aligns with natural laws of success. It offers both encouragement and philosophical justification for maintaining diligence despite delayed results.
Examples
English: "Her years of hard work finally paid off with a major breakthrough"
Chinese: 她多年的努力终于带来了重大突破
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 天道酬勤 mean in English?
天道酬勤 (tiān dào chóu qín) literally translates to “Heaven's way rewards diligence” and is used to express “Heaven rewards diligence”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 天道酬勤 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving heaven rewards diligence.
What is the pinyin for 天道酬勤?
The pinyin pronunciation for 天道酬勤 is “tiān dào chóu qín”.