笨鸟先飞
笨鸟先飞 (bèn niǎo xiān fēi) literally means “slow bird flies first” and expresses “work harder to compensate”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ben niao xian fei, ben niao xian fei,笨鸟先飞 meaning, 笨鸟先飞 in english
Work harder to compensate
Pronunciation: bèn niǎo xiān fēi
Literal meaning: Slow bird flies first
Origin & Usage
This disarmingly simple idiom emerged from folk wisdom observing that slow (笨) birds (鸟) must start first (先飞) to reach their destination with the flock. During the Song Dynasty, it gained prominence in educational texts as encouragement for students who weren't naturally gifted. The imagery challenges the notion that innate talent determines success, instead emphasizing early preparation and persistent effort. In modern education and professional contexts, it advocates for proactive approaches to compensate for perceived disadvantages. The idiom particularly resonates in competitive environments where early preparation can level the playing field, teaching that consciousness of one's limitations can become a surprising advantage.
Examples
English: "Knowing she needed more practice, she always arrived first at training"
Chinese: 知道自己需要更多练习，她总是第一个到达训练场
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 笨鸟先飞 mean in English?
笨鸟先飞 (bèn niǎo xiān fēi) literally translates to “Slow bird flies first” and is used to express “Work harder to compensate”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 笨鸟先飞 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving work harder to compensate.
What is the pinyin for 笨鸟先飞?
The pinyin pronunciation for 笨鸟先飞 is “bèn niǎo xiān fēi”.