一丝不苟
一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) literally means “not loose one thread” and expresses “extremely careful and thorough”. 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: yi si bu gou, yi si bu gou,一丝不苟 meaning, 一丝不苟 in english
Extremely careful and thorough
Pronunciation: yī sī bù gǒu
Literal meaning: Not loose one thread
Origin & Usage
This meticulous idiom literally means not allowing a single (一) silk thread (丝) to be careless (不苟). Emerging from textile craftsmanship during the Song Dynasty, it originally described the precise attention required in silk weaving, where a single loose thread could compromise an entire piece. The phrase exemplifies the Chinese cultural value of perfectionism in craftsmanship. Modern usage applies to any task requiring extreme precision and attention to detail, from scientific research to artistic creation, emphasizing thoroughness and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
Examples
English: "The surgeon performed each procedure with absolute precision"
Chinese: 外科医生一丝不苟地执行每个手术程序
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一丝不苟 mean in English?
一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) literally translates to “Not loose one thread” and is used to express “Extremely careful and thorough”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 一丝不苟 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving extremely careful and thorough.
What is the pinyin for 一丝不苟?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一丝不苟 is “yī sī bù gǒu”.