accumulate bit by bit; every little bit counts
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to accumulate little by little; every penny counts; to save every tiny bit
formalVariant form of 铢积寸累 (zhū jī cùn lěi). Often used to describe the process of gradual accumulation of wealth, knowledge, or achievements through persistent small efforts. Carries a neutral to slightly formal tone.
Zhè这
bǐ笔
cái财
fù富
shì是
tā他
jī积
zhū铢
lěi累
cùn寸
，
xīn辛
kǔ苦
dà大
bàn半
bèi辈
zi子
cái才
zǎn攒
xià下
lai来
de的
。
This fortune was accumulated by him bit by bit through hard work over half a lifetime.
Xué学
xí习
yǔ语
yán言
xū需
yào要
jī积
zhū铢
lěi累
cùn寸
，
měi每
tiān天
jiān坚
chí持
liàn练
xí习
cái才
néng能
kàn看
dào到
jìn进
bù步
。
Learning a language requires accumulating bit by bit; only by practicing every day can you see progress.
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Bù不
yào要
xiǎo小
kàn看
měi每
tiān天
cún存
xià下
de的
nà那
jǐ几
kuài块
qián钱
，
jī积
zhū铢
lěi累
cùn寸
，
yī一
nián年
hòu后
yě也
shì是
bǐ笔
bù不
xiǎo小
de的
shù数
mù目
。
Don't underestimate those few yuan saved every day; accumulated bit by bit, it becomes a considerable sum after a year.