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.
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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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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: Through constant practice, she became an expert.
What is the pinyin for 熟能生巧?
The pinyin pronunciation for 熟能生巧 is “shú néng shēng qiǎo”.