一鼓作气
一鼓作气 (yī gǔ zuò qì) literally means “one drum make spirit” and expresses “complete in one effort”. 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: yi gu zuo qi, yi gu zuo qi,一鼓作气 meaning, 一鼓作气 in english
Complete in one effort
Pronunciation: yī gǔ zuò qì
Literal meaning: One drum make spirit
Origin & Usage
Derived from the ancient military treatise 'Guan Zi', this idiom describes how soldiers' spirits (气) rise highest at the first drum (一鼓) beat before battle. The text observes that morale diminishes with each subsequent drumbeat, making the initial surge of energy crucial. During the Warring States period, military commanders used this understanding of psychological momentum to time their attacks. The drum's significance in ancient Chinese warfare adds depth to the metaphor - it was not just a signal but a tool for maintaining troop coordination and morale. Today, it emphasizes the importance of seizing initial momentum in any challenging endeavor.
Examples
English: "She wrote the entire proposal in one focused session"
Chinese: 她一气呵成地写完了整个提案
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
洛阳纸贵
luò yáng zhǐ guì
Extraordinary popularity of intellectual work
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盲人摸象
máng rén mō xiàng
Mistaking partial knowledge for complete wisdom
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力挽狂澜
lì wǎn kuáng lán
Heroically reversing catastrophic situation
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呼风唤雨
hū fēng huàn yǔ
Wielding extraordinary influence over others
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一鼓作气 mean in English?
一鼓作气 (yī gǔ zuò qì) literally translates to “One drum make spirit” and is used to express “Complete in one effort”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 一鼓作气 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving complete in one effort.
What is the pinyin for 一鼓作气?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一鼓作气 is “yī gǔ zuò qì”.