水滴石穿

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"水滴石穿" literally means "water droplets wear through stone." It is a Chinese idiom used to express that persistent effort and patience can overcome even the toughest obstacles. It often encourages perseverance in learning, work, or personal goals.

Common Contexts

This idiom is frequently used in educational settings to motivate students, in work environments to emphasize steady progress, and in everyday conversation to highlight the power of consistent effort.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuances

Using 水滴石穿 implies a positive, hopeful attitude toward challenges. It is more formal and literary than casual speech, often found in written or motivational contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar idioms that emphasize speed or sudden success; 水滴石穿 stresses slow, steady progress.

Example Sentences

As long as you persist, water droplets can wear through stone; difficulties

Learning a language requires time and patience, as the saying goes, water

He practiced calligraphy every day; with persistence like water dripping