厚积薄发
厚积薄发 (hòu jī bó fā) literally means “thick accumulation thin launch” and expresses “success after long preparation”. 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: hou ji bo fa, hou ji bo fa,厚积薄发 meaning, 厚积薄发 in english
Success after long preparation
Pronunciation: hòu jī bó fā
Literal meaning: Thick accumulation thin launch
Origin & Usage
This idiom compares patient accumulation (积) of deep (厚) knowledge with the eventual release (发) that requires minimal (薄) effort. It emerged during the Tang Dynasty literary circles, where scholars emphasized sustained preparation over hasty creation. Historical accounts describe how poet Du Fu spent decades studying before his relatively brief period of prolific composition. The image resonated particularly with Song Dynasty Neo-Confucians who valued gradual self-cultivation. In modern contexts, it applies to any domain where extended preparation enables seemingly effortless execution - from scientific research to artistic mastery to business innovation. It cautions against premature action while promising that thorough preparation often makes eventual success appear deceptively simple.
Examples
English: "After years of quiet research, her breakthrough theory revolutionized the field"
Chinese: 经过多年的默默研究，她的突破性理论彻底革新了这个领域
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 厚积薄发 mean in English?
厚积薄发 (hòu jī bó fā) literally translates to “Thick accumulation thin launch” and is used to express “Success after long preparation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 厚积薄发 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving success after long preparation.
What is the pinyin for 厚积薄发?
The pinyin pronunciation for 厚积薄发 is “hòu jī bó fā”.