马不停蹄
马不停蹄 (mǎ bù tíng tí) literally means “horse does not stop hooves” and expresses “relentless progress”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ma bu ting ti, ma bu ting ti,马不停蹄 meaning, 马不停蹄 in english
Relentless progress
Pronunciation: mǎ bù tíng tí Literal meaning: Horse does not stop hooves
Origin & Usage
The idiom 马不停蹄 (mǎ bù tíng tí) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe continuous, unyielding progress without pause. The phrase literally paints a vivid image of a horse (马, mǎ) that does not stop (不停, bù tíng) its hooves (蹄, tí) from moving. This imagery conveys a sense of relentless forward motion, often used to describe people or teams working tirelessly towards a goal. In modern contexts, it is frequently applied to describe busy schedules or persistent efforts in achieving success, emphasizing perseverance and dedication.
Examples
English: "She worked tirelessly, never pausing in her pursuit of excellence"
Chinese: 她不知疲倦地工作，马不停蹄地追求卓越
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
Learn more →
百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
Learn more →
水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
Learn more →
门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
Learn more →
天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
Learn more →
破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
Learn more →
守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
Learn more →
青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 马不停蹄 mean in English?
马不停蹄 (mǎ bù tíng tí) literally translates to “Horse does not stop hooves” and is used to express “Relentless progress”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 马不停蹄 used?
Situation: She worked tirelessly, never pausing in her pursuit of excellence
What is the pinyin for 马不停蹄?
The pinyin pronunciation for 马不停蹄 is “mǎ bù tíng tí”.