Meaning of 积羽沉舟
积羽沉舟 means many a little makes a mickle; the accumulation of small things can produce a major effect; minor negligence can lead to great disaster. Pronounced jī yǔ chén zhōu.
- many a little makes a mickle; the accumulation of small things can produce a major effect; minor negligence can lead to great disaster
Definitions & Examples
Xiǎo小
wèn问
tí题
rú如
guǒ果
bù不
jí及
shí时
jiě解
jué决
，
jī积
yǔ羽
chén沉
zhōu舟
，
zuì最
hòu后
huì会
biàn变
chéng成
dà大
má麻
fan烦
。
If small problems are not solved in time, many a little makes a mickle, and they will eventually become big troubles.
Bù不
yào要
xiǎo小
kàn看
zhè这
xiē些
cuò错
wù误
，
jī积
yǔ羽
chén沉
zhōu舟
，
hòu后
guǒ果
kě可
néng能
hěn很
yán严
zhòng重
。
Don't underestimate these mistakes—many small things can sink a boat, and the consequences could be very serious.
Gǔ古
rén人
yún云
jī积
yǔ羽
chén沉
zhōu舟
，
qún群
qīng轻
zhé折
zhóu轴
，
shuō说
de的
jiù就
shì是
xiǎo小
huàn患
bù不
chú除
zhōng终
niàng酿
dà大
huò祸
de的
dào道
lǐ理
。
The ancients said that accumulated feathers sink a boat and combined light weights break an axle—this speaks to the principle that small ills left unchecked will eventually cause great disasters.