集腋成裘
集腋成裘 (jí yè chéng qiú) literally means “gather fur make coat” and expresses “small efforts make big results”. 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: ji ye cheng qiu, ji ye cheng qiu,集腋成裘 meaning, 集腋成裘 in english
Small efforts make big results
Pronunciation: jí yè chéng qiú
Literal meaning: Gather fur make coat
Origin & Usage
This idiom originates from ancient Chinese furriers who gathered (集) small pieces of fur from animal armpits (腋) to make (成) a luxurious coat (裘). First recorded in Warring States period texts, it illustrated how seemingly insignificant items could, through accumulation and patience, create something valuable. The detailed craft metaphor resonated with Chinese philosophical emphasis on gradual progress and careful accumulation. Modern applications range from financial advice about saving to project management principles about breaking large goals into smaller tasks. It teaches that no contribution is too small when part of a larger vision.
Examples
English: "The charity reached its goal through thousands of small donations"
Chinese: 慈善机构通过成千上万的小额捐款达到了目标
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 集腋成裘 mean in English?
集腋成裘 (jí yè chéng qiú) literally translates to “Gather fur make coat” and is used to express “Small efforts make big results”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 集腋成裘 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving small efforts make big results.
What is the pinyin for 集腋成裘?
The pinyin pronunciation for 集腋成裘 is “jí yè chéng qiú”.