the slow need to start early; a humble phrase for one's own lack of skill
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
the slow bird must start early; the clumsy bird flies first
humbleUsed as a humble expression to describe oneself or to advise others that those with less natural talent or ability should start earlier or work harder to compensate. It carries an encouraging and self-deprecating tone.
Wǒ我
jī基
chǔ础
chà差
，
zhǐ只
hǎo好
bèn笨
niǎo鸟
xiān先
fēi飞
，
měi每
tiān天
duō多
huā花
liǎng两
xiǎo小
shí时
fù复
xí习
。
My foundation is weak, so I have to start early like the clumsy bird, spending two extra hours reviewing every day.
Lǎo老
shī师
jīng经
cháng常
yòng用
“
bèn笨
niǎo鸟
xiān先
fēi飞
”
lái来
gǔ鼓
lì励
xué学
xí习
chī吃
lì力
de的
xué学
shēng生
。
The teacher often uses the phrase 'the slow bird must start early' to encourage students who struggle with learning.
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Tā他
zhī知
dào道
zì自
jǐ己
bú不
gòu够
cōng聪
míng明
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
xiāng相
xìn信
bèn笨
niǎo鸟
xiān先
fēi飞
de的
dào道
lǐ理
。
He knows he isn't very smart, so he believes in the principle that the slow must start early.
Zhè这
cì次
rèn任
wu务
hěn很
jiān艰
jù巨
，
wǒ我
men们
děi得
bèn笨
niǎo鸟
xiān先
fēi飞
，
tí提
qián前
kāi开
shǐ始
zhǔn准
bèi备
。
This task is very difficult, so we have to start early like the clumsy bird and begin preparations ahead of time.