再接再厉

再接再厉 (zài jiē zài lì) literally means “again connect again encourage” and expresses “continue efforts with undiminished enthusiasm”. 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: zai jie zai li, zai jie zai li,再接再厉 meaning, 再接再厉 in english

Continue efforts with undiminished enthusiasm

Pronunciation: zài jiē zài lì Literal meaning: Again connect again encourage

Origin & Usage

Found in the historical records of the Jin Dynasty, this expression of renewed connection (再接) and repeated encouragement (再厉) originally described military commanders maintaining momentum after initial victories. Song Dynasty educators adopted it to motivate students facing imperial examinations, emphasizing the importance of sustained effort after partial success. The doubled character '再' (again) reinforces the concept of renewed commitment. Modern usage spans from athletic training to professional development, urging continued effort when complacency threatens.

When to Use

Situation: After narrowly missing the championship, the team redoubled their training efforts for next season


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 再接再厉 mean in English?

再接再厉 (zài jiē zài lì) literally translates to “Again connect again encourage” and is used to express “Continue efforts with undiminished enthusiasm”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.

When is 再接再厉 used?

Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving continue efforts with undiminished enthusiasm.

What is the pinyin for 再接再厉?

The pinyin pronunciation for 再接再厉 is “zài jiē zài lì”.