千锤百炼
千锤百炼 (qiān chuí bǎi liàn) literally means “thousand hammers hundred forges” and expresses “perfected through repeated refinement”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Perfected through repeated refinement
Pronunciation: qiān chuí bǎi liàn
Literal meaning: Thousand hammers hundred forges
Origin & Usage
This metallurgical metaphor describes something subjected to a thousand (千) hammer blows (锤) and a hundred (百) forgings (炼), originating from Han Dynasty descriptions of sword-making. Historical records detail how the finest blades required repeated folding and hammering to remove impurities and strengthen the metal. During the Tang Dynasty, literary critics adopted it to describe the rigorous revision process required for excellent writing. The specific numbers suggest both hyperbolic quantity and the systematic nature of refinement, where each cycle of tempering improved quality. Modern usage describes any creation refined through repeated testing and improvement cycles, emphasizing how quality emerges through deliberate, repeated refinement rather than initial inspiration.
Examples
English: "The final manuscript reflected years of writing, editing, and refinement"
Chinese: 最终的手稿反映了多年的写作、编辑和改进
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 千锤百炼 mean in English?
千锤百炼 (qiān chuí bǎi liàn) literally translates to “Thousand hammers hundred forges” and is used to express “Perfected through repeated refinement”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 千锤百炼 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving perfected through repeated refinement.
What is the pinyin for 千锤百炼?
The pinyin pronunciation for 千锤百炼 is “qiān chuí bǎi liàn”.