一丝不苟
一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) literally means “not loose one thread” and expresses “extremely careful and thorough”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: yi si bu gou, yi si bu gou,一丝不苟 meaning, 一丝不苟 in english
Extremely careful and thorough
Pronunciation: yī sī bù gǒu Literal meaning: Not loose one thread
Origin & Usage
This meticulous idiom literally means not allowing a single (一) silk thread (丝) to be careless (不苟). Emerging from textile craftsmanship during the Song Dynasty, it originally described the precise attention required in silk weaving, where a single loose thread could compromise an entire piece. The phrase exemplifies the Chinese cultural value of perfectionism in craftsmanship. Modern usage applies to any task requiring extreme precision and attention to detail, from scientific research to artistic creation, emphasizing thoroughness and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
Examples
English: "The surgeon performed each procedure with absolute precision"
Chinese: 外科医生一丝不苟地执行每个手术程序
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
Learn more →
百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
Learn more →
水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
Learn more →
门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
Learn more →
天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
Learn more →
破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
Learn more →
守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
Learn more →
青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一丝不苟 mean in English?
一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) literally translates to “Not loose one thread” and is used to express “Extremely careful and thorough”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 一丝不苟 used?
Situation: The surgeon performed each procedure with absolute precision
What is the pinyin for 一丝不苟?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一丝不苟 is “yī sī bù gǒu”.
Curated Lists Featuring 一丝不苟
15 Chinese Idioms With Number One (一)
Discover Chinese idioms featuring the number one (一), symbolizing unity, singularity, and completeness.
10 Chinese Idioms to Teach Children
Fun and meaningful Chinese idioms perfect for teaching kids about hard work, kindness, honesty, and the love of learning. Great for parents and teachers.
12 More Chinese Idioms for HSK 4 Practice
Expand your HSK 4 idiom repertoire with 12 additional chengyu for intermediate Chinese learners.