举重若轻
举重若轻 (jǔ zhòng ruò qīng) literally means “lift heavy as light” and expresses “make difficult look easy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ju zhong ruo qing, ju zhong ruo qing,举重若轻 meaning, 举重若轻 in english
Make difficult look easy
Pronunciation: jǔ zhòng ruò qīng Literal meaning: Lift heavy as light
Origin & Usage
To lift (举) what is heavy (重) as though (若) it were light (轻). The phrase belongs to Qing literary criticism, where Zhao Yi used it of Su Shi's poetry: the argument bright, the brushwork sharp, weight carried so easily that reading it you would think no great effort had gone in, when the full force is already through. That is the precise claim — not that the task was easy, but that the effort does not show. Negotiators, surgeons and performers.
Examples
English: "The senior diplomat handled the crisis with apparent ease"
Chinese: 资深外交官从容应对危机
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
登堂入室
dēng táng rù shì
Progress from basic to advanced
Learn more →
负重前行
fù zhòng qián xíng
Progress despite difficulties
Learn more →
负重致远
fù zhòng zhì yuǎn
Able to carry great responsibility
Learn more →
轻而易举
qīng ér yì jǔ
Easy; effortless
Learn more →
一丝不苟
yī sī bù gǒu
Extremely careful and thorough
Learn more →
一鼓作气
yī gǔ zuò qì
Complete in one effort
Learn more →
登峰造极
dēng fēng zào jí
Reach highest attainable level
Learn more →
掉以轻心
diào yǐ qīng xīn
Lower one's guard
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 举重若轻 mean in English?
举重若轻 (jǔ zhòng ruò qīng) literally translates to “Lift heavy as light” and is used to express “Make difficult look easy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 举重若轻 used?
Situation: The senior diplomat handled the crisis with apparent ease
What is the pinyin for 举重若轻?
The pinyin pronunciation for 举重若轻 is “jǔ zhòng ruò qīng”.