欲速不达(欲速不達)
欲速不达 (yù sù bù dá) literally means “desire speed, not reach”and expresses “haste makes waste; more haste less speed”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: yu su bu da, yu su bu da,欲速不达 meaning, 欲速不达 in english
Pronunciation: yù sù bù dá Literal meaning: Desire speed, not reach
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes desiring (欲) speed (速) but not (不) reaching (达) the goal. From the Analects where Confucius warned that haste impedes rather than helps. The phrase captures the paradox that rushing often slows progress. Modern usage warns against impatience, recognizing that sustainable achievement requires appropriate pacing rather than desperate rushing.
When to Use
Situation: Rushing the project caused more delays in the end.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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见好就收
jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Quit while ahead; take profits
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 欲速不达 mean in English?
欲速不达 (yù sù bù dá) literally translates to “Desire speed, not reach”and is used to express “Haste makes waste; more haste less speed”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 欲速不达 used?
Situation: Rushing the project caused more delays in the end.
What is the pinyin for 欲速不达?
The pinyin pronunciation for 欲速不达 is “yù sù bù dá”.
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