大器晚成

Pronunciation: dà qì wǎn chéng Literal meaning: A great vessel is completed late

Origin & Usage

This is from the Laozi: 大方无隅，大器晚成 — the greatest square has no corners, the greatest vessel (大器) is completed (成) late (晚). The line sits in a series about great things escaping ordinary measure, so lateness here is a property of scale rather than a delay. A later anecdote applies it to a man dismissed early and vindicated in age, which is how it is usually meant now. Modern usage reassures anyone whose ability has not yet been recognised.

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