rise early and retire late; diligent; hardworking
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to rise early and sleep late; to be diligent and hardworking
literaryA classical idiom originating from the Book of Songs (Shijing). Used in formal or literary contexts to praise someone who works hard and maintains a rigorous schedule.
Tā他
sù夙
xīng兴
yè夜
mèi寐
，
zhōng终
yú于
wán完
chéng成
le了
zhè这
bù部
zhù著
zuò作
。
He worked from dawn till dusk and finally completed this masterpiece.
Fù父
mǔ母
sù夙
xīng兴
yè夜
mèi寐
，
zhǐ只
wèi为
ràng让
hái孩
zi子
guò过
shàng上
hǎo好
rì日
zi子
。
His parents toiled day and night just to give their child a better life.
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《
Shī诗
jīng经
》
yǒu有
yún云
：
'
sù夙
xīng兴
yè夜
mèi寐
，
mǐ靡
yǒu有
zhāo朝
yǐ矣
。
'
As the Book of Songs says, 'Rising early and sleeping late, there is no morning leisure.'