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 & perseverance.
Also searched as: shu neng sheng qiao, shu neng sheng qiao,熟能生巧 meaning, 熟能生巧 in english
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.
When to Use
Situation: Through constant practice, she became an expert.
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Related Chinese Idioms
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匠心独运
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
bié jù yī gé
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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独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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功成名就
gōng chéng míng jiù
Achieve success and fame
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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 theSuccess & 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”.