constant dripping wears away the stone; persistence pays off
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
constant dripping wears away the stone; little strokes fell great oaks; persistence brings success
A metaphorical idiom emphasizing that consistent small efforts over time can overcome hard obstacles. Alternative form: 滴水穿石. Often used to encourage perseverance in study, work, or personal goals.
Zhǐ只
yào要
wǒ我
men们
xiàng像
shuǐ水
dī滴
shí石
chuān穿
nà那
yàng样
jiān坚
chí持
xué学
xí习
，
yī一
dìng定
néng能
zhǎng掌
wò握
zhè这
mén门
yǔ语
yán言
。
As long as we persist in studying like water dripping through stone, we will surely master this language.
Bié别
xiǎo小
kàn看
měi每
tiān天
zhǐ只
bèi背
shí十
gè个
dān单
cí词
，
shuǐ水
dī滴
shí石
chuān穿
，
yī一
nián年
jiù就
shì是
sān三
qiān千
duō多
gè个
。
Don't underestimate memorizing just ten words a day—constant dripping wears away the stone, and that's over three thousand in a year.
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Chéng成
gōng功
xū需
yào要
shuǐ水
dī滴
shí石
chuān穿
de的
jīng精
shén神
，
bù不
shì是
yī一
cù蹴
ér而
jiù就
de的
。
Success requires the spirit of constant dripping wearing away stone; it doesn't happen overnight.