集腋成裘
集腋成裘 (jí yè chéng qiú) literally means “gather fur make coat” and expresses “small efforts make big results”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ji ye cheng qiu, ji ye cheng qiu,集腋成裘 meaning, 集腋成裘 in english
Small efforts make big results
Pronunciation: jí yè chéng qiú Literal meaning: Gather fur make coat
Origin & Usage
腋 is the armpit, and the fur there is the softest on the animal and comes in scraps too small to be worth anything alone. Gathering (集) enough of them makes (成) a robe (裘) finer than one cut from whole skins. The Warring States texts use it for accumulation of every kind, and Chinese pairs it naturally with 聚沙成塔, heaping sand into a pagoda. What the image adds beyond mere accumulation is quality: the scraps are not merely usable, they are the best part, and only patience makes them available.
Examples
English: "The charity reached its goal through thousands of small donations"
Chinese: 慈善机构通过成千上万的小额捐款达到了目标
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
铁杵成针
tiě chǔ chéng zhēn
Success through persistence
Learn more →
水到渠成
shuǐ dào qú chéng
Success comes naturally
Learn more →
聚沙成塔
jù shā chéng tǎ
Small things build achievement
Learn more →
玉汝于成
yù rǔ yú chéng
Adversity is what finishes you
Learn more →
一气呵成
yī qì hē chéng
Finished without a break in it
Learn more →
爱毛反裘
ài máo fǎn qiú
Protect the surface, ruin the foundation
Learn more →
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
Learn more →
一鼓作气
yī gǔ zuò qì
Complete in one effort
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 集腋成裘 mean in English?
集腋成裘 (jí yè chéng qiú) literally translates to “Gather fur make coat” and is used to express “Small efforts make big results”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 集腋成裘 used?
Situation: The charity reached its goal through thousands of small donations
What is the pinyin for 集腋成裘?
The pinyin pronunciation for 集腋成裘 is “jí yè chéng qiú”.
Curated Lists Featuring 集腋成裘
12 Ambitious Chinese Idioms for Career Success
Motivational Chinese idioms for career advancement, professional success, and achieving your goals.
10 Chinese Idioms for Celebrating a Work Promotion
Congratulatory Chinese idioms for work promotions, career advancement, and professional achievement.
10 Chinese Idioms for Starting a New Job
Begin your new career chapter with these Chinese idioms about diligence, ambition, and making a strong first impression. Essential motivation for any new role.