日积月累
日积月累 (rì jī yuè lěi) literally means “days pile months gather” and expresses “gradual accumulation builds up”. 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: ri ji yue lei, ri ji yue lei,日积月累 meaning, 日积月累 in english
Gradual accumulation builds up
Pronunciation: rì jī yuè lěi
Literal meaning: Days pile months gather
Origin & Usage
This idiom weaves together daily (日) accumulation (积) with monthly (月) gathering (累) to describe gradual progress. It first appeared in Han Dynasty texts discussing scholarly cultivation, where learning was seen as a process of constant, minute additions - like grains of sand forming a mountain. The astronomical references reflect ancient Chinese understanding of time as both cyclical and accumulative. Modern applications range from personal development to business growth, emphasizing that significant achievements result from consistent small efforts rather than dramatic singular actions.
Examples
English: "Her language skills improved through daily practice over years"
Chinese: 她的语言能力通过多年的日常练习得到提高
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 日积月累 mean in English?
日积月累 (rì jī yuè lěi) literally translates to “Days pile months gather” and is used to express “Gradual accumulation builds up”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 日积月累 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving gradual accumulation builds up.
What is the pinyin for 日积月累?
The pinyin pronunciation for 日积月累 is “rì jī yuè lěi”.