Chengyu lookup
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守株待兔 · shou zhu dai tuto wait idly for luck instead of working亡羊补牢 · wang yang bu laoto repair the pen after losing sheep; better late than never拔苗助长 · ba miao zhu zhangto spoil growth by forcing it too fastShorten the English ideaeffortTry plain pinyineffort
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53 results for effort
Results show the short meaning first, then pinyin, literal image, tone, and difficulty.
守株待兔to wait idly for luck instead of workingshǒu zhū dài tù · negative · criticalOpen entry亡羊补牢to repair the pen after losing sheep; better late than neverwáng yáng bǔ láo · neutral · corrective and practicalOpen entry拔苗助长to spoil growth by forcing it too fastbá miáo zhù zhǎng · negative · critical and cautionaryOpen entry水滴石穿steady effort can wear through stoneshuǐ dī shí chuān · positive · positiveOpen entry一丝不苟meticulous; not careless in the slightestyì sī bù gǒu · negative · positiveOpen entry
守株待兔to wait idly for luck instead of workingguard a tree stump and wait for rabbitsIntermediatecritical亡羊补牢to repair the pen after losing sheep; better late than neverlose sheep, repair the enclosureIntermediatecorrective and practical拔苗助长to spoil growth by forcing it too fastpull up seedlings to help them growIntermediatecritical and cautionary水滴石穿steady effort can wear through stonewater drops pierce stoneBeginnerpositive一丝不苟meticulous; not careless in the slightestnot careless about even one threadBeginnerpositive勤能补拙diligence can make up for lack of natural talentdiligence can compensate for clumsinessBeginnerpositive and practical闻鸡起舞to rise at the rooster's crow and train; disciplined early efforthear the rooster and get up to practiceIntermediateadmiring破釜沉舟to burn the boats; commit with no retreatbreak the cooking pots and sink the boatsIntermediateresolute一鸣惊人to astonish people with one sudden achievement after quiet preparationone cry or call startles peopleIntermediatepositive and surprising学海无涯learning is as vast as the sea and has no final shorethe sea of learning has no shoreBeginnerhumble and encouraging百折不挠to remain unyielding after many setbacksa hundred bends, yet not yieldingIntermediateadmiring and determined青出于蓝the student surpasses the teacherblue-green dye comes from indigo grassIntermediateadmiring and generous出类拔萃outstanding among otherscome out from the group and rise above the clusterIntermediateclear praise大器晚成great talent or a great work matures latea great vessel is completed lateIntermediateencouraging and patient好逸恶劳to love ease and hate worklike comfort and dislike laborIntermediatenegative judgment天道酬勤diligence is rewardedthe way of heaven rewards diligenceIntermediatemotivational and positive百尺竿头to reach a high level and still keep improvingat the top of a hundred-foot poleIntermediatepositive and aspirational步步为营to advance carefully step by stepmake a camp at every stepIntermediatecareful and strategic春蚕到死devotion that continues until the very enda spring silkworm spins silk until deathLiterarysolemn and admiring读万卷书read widely and deeplyread ten thousand scrolls of booksBeginnerencouraging and studious登峰造极to reach the highest levelclimb the peak and reach the utmost pointAdvancedstrongly admiring or critical of extremity滴水不漏watertight; leaving no gapsnot a drop of water leaksIntermediateadmiring, wary, or critical depending on object胆大心细bold but carefullarge courage and fine attentionIntermediatepositive and practical负重前行to move forward while carrying a heavy burdencarry weight and move forwardIntermediateserious, respectful, and resilient负重致远to carry a heavy load and reach farbear weight and arrive far awayAdvancedrespectful and weighty凤毛麟角extremely rare and preciousphoenix feathers and qilin hornsIntermediateadmiring, surprised, or evaluative风云际会a meeting of great people and timely circumstanceswind and clouds meet at the right momentAdvancedgrand, historical, or opportunity-focused厚积薄发to build deeply before showing resultsthick accumulation, thin releaseAdvancedpatiently encouraging画龙点睛to add the finishing touch that brings something alivepaint the dragon and dot the eyesBeginnerpositive completion机不可失an opportunity must not be missedthe chance cannot be lostBeginnerurgent encouragement开卷有益reading is beneficialopening a book has benefitBeginnerencouraging and educational流水不腐movement prevents stagnationflowing water does not rotIntermediatepreventive and practical半途而废to give up halfwayabandon the effort midwayBeginnercritical but practical得心应手to handle something skillfully and easilythe heart gets it and the hand respondsIntermediateconfident and approving分秒必争to race against every minute and secondevery minute and second must be fought forIntermediateurgent and disciplined功亏一篑to fail just short of completionthe work fails for lack of one basket of earthIntermediateregretful and cautionary脚踏实地to be practical, grounded, and steadyfeet step on solid groundBeginnerapproving and steady锲而不舍to keep working persistently and never give upcarve and do not abandonIntermediateencouraging千载难逢an extremely rare opportunityhard to encounter in a thousand yearsIntermediateemphatic and urgent事半功倍to achieve more with less efforthalf the work, double the achievementIntermediateefficient and approving风雨无阻keep going despite obstacleswind and rain do not block the wayBeginnersteady and committed鹤立鸡群stand out from the crowda crane stands among chickensBeginneradmiring but comparative集腋成裘small contributions accumulate into something valuablecollect small fur pieces to make a robeAdvancedpatient and encouraging举重若轻to handle a difficult matter with easelift something heavy as if it were lightIntermediateadmiring精卫填海determined persistence against a huge taskJingwei fills the seaLiterarysolemn and determined见贤思齐to learn from worthy peoplesee the worthy and think of becoming equalIntermediateself-improving and respectful苦尽甘来hardship ends and good times arrivebitterness ends, sweetness comesBeginnercomforting and hopeful临渴掘井to start preparing only after the need becomes urgentdig a well only when thirstyIntermediatecritical and cautionary临渊羡鱼to wish for results without taking practical actionstand by the deep water and envy the fishIntermediateadmonishing聚沙成塔small pieces accumulate into something largegather sand to form a towerBeginnerencouraging柳暗花明a new hopeful turn appears after difficultywillows darken, flowers brightenIntermediatehopeful and reflective逆水行舟to row against the currentmove a boat against the waterIntermediateserious and encouraging囊萤映雪to study diligently despite hardshipbag fireflies and read by reflected snowLiteraryadmiring and solemn
Search by theme instead
Themes are useful when you know the situation but not the exact chengyu.
Chengyu for Learning Chinese
Idioms that help learners talk about practice, mistakes, correction, and steady improvement.
Chengyu About Effort and Discipline
Positive and cautionary idioms for practice, persistence, over-pressure, and commitment.
Cautionary Chengyu
Story-driven warnings about passivity, rigidity, overdoing, wrong direction, and premature judgment.
Strategy Chengyu
Idioms for plans, direction, commitment, preparation, and decisions under pressure.
Everyday Spoken Chengyu
Common expressions that appear in daily conversation, self-evaluation, reviews, and casual criticism.
Chengyu About Perspective and Wisdom
Idioms that help explain uncertainty, narrow perspective, and the need to see the larger pattern.