熟能生巧
熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo) literally means “familiarity can produce skill” and expresses “practice makes perfect”. 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: shu neng sheng qiao, shu neng sheng qiao,熟能生巧 meaning, 熟能生巧 in english
Practice makes perfect
Pronunciation: shú néng shēng qiǎo
Literal meaning: Familiarity can produce skill
Origin & Usage
This idiom states that familiarity/practice (熟) can (能) produce (生) skill (巧). It emphasizes that expertise comes from repeated practice rather than innate talent alone. The phrase originated from a Song Dynasty story about an oil seller who could pour oil through a coin's hole - not from genius, but from practice. Modern usage encourages persistence in learning, affirming that mastery comes through dedicated repetition and experience.
Examples
English: "Through constant practice, she became an expert."
Chinese: 通过不断练习，她熟能生巧，成为专家。
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Related Chinese Idioms
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jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
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Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 熟能生巧 mean in English?
熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo) literally translates to “Familiarity can produce skill” and is used to express “Practice makes perfect”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 熟能生巧 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving practice makes perfect.
What is the pinyin for 熟能生巧?
The pinyin pronunciation for 熟能生巧 is “shú néng shēng qiǎo”.