大器晚成
大器晚成 (dà qì wǎn chéng) literally means “great talents mature late” and expresses “excellence develops with time”. 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: da qi wan cheng, da qi wan cheng,大器晚成 meaning, 大器晚成 in english
Excellence develops with time
Pronunciation: dà qì wǎn chéng
Literal meaning: Great talents mature late
Origin & Usage
This encouraging idiom suggests that significant talents or capacities (大器) often develop or succeed (成) late (晚). It originated during the Eastern Han Dynasty, appearing in the biography of statesman Yang Chen. After declining several official appointments, Yang explained that fine wood requires longer to season and superior vessels need more time to craft. The concept gained prominence during the Song Dynasty when it was used to reassure late-blooming scholars. Unlike idioms celebrating prodigies, this one specifically values development requiring extended maturation. Modern applications span career development, education, and personal growth, reminding us that significant accomplishments often emerge from lengthy preparation rather than early brilliance.
Examples
English: "The writer published his masterpiece in his sixties after decades of developing his craft"
Chinese: 这位作家在六十多岁时出版了他的代表作，此前已经花了几十年磨练自己的技艺
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 大器晚成 mean in English?
大器晚成 (dà qì wǎn chéng) literally translates to “Great talents mature late” and is used to express “Excellence develops with time”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 大器晚成 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving excellence develops with time.
What is the pinyin for 大器晚成?
The pinyin pronunciation for 大器晚成 is “dà qì wǎn chéng”.