xìshuǐchángliú

细水长流

Word · Idiom

economize resources; persevere continuously

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 7 examples
1.

idiom

to economize on resources to ensure long-term sustainability; to manage finances or manpower carefully to avoid shortages

Emphasizes prudent, sustainable management of resources over time rather than immediate consumption.

Guò过
rì日
zi子
yào要
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
bù不
néng能
jīn今
tiān天
yǒu有
qián钱
jīn今
tiān天
huā花
guāng光
 。

One must live within one's means and manage resources sustainably; you can't just spend everything the moment you have money.

Gōng公
sī司
de的
zī资
jīn金
guǎn管
lǐ理
jiān坚
chí持
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
de的
yuán原
zé则
 ,
què确
bǎo保
jí即
shǐ使
zài在
dàn淡
jì季
yě也
néng能
zhèng正
cháng常
yùn运
yíng营
 。

The company's fund management adheres to the principle of sustainable conservation, ensuring normal operations even during off-seasons.

Show 1 more example
Mǔ母
qīn亲
zǒng总
shì是
jiào教
dǎo导
wǒ我
men们
 ,
chī吃
chuān穿
yòng用
dù度
yào要
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
wèi未
yǔ雨
chóu绸
móu缪
 。

Mother always taught us that in matters of food, clothing, and expenses, we must practice sustainable conservation and plan ahead for rainy days.

2.

idiom

to carry out a task continuously in small increments; to persevere through steady, persistent effort

Emphasizes consistency and patience in long-term endeavors rather than sporadic intense effort.

Xué学
xí习
yǔ语
yán言
yào要
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
měi每
tiān天
jiān坚
chí持
liàn练
xí习
bàn半
xiǎo小
shí时
bǐ比
tū突
jī击
yī一
tiān天
gèng更
yǒu有
xiào效
 。

Learning a language requires steady, continuous effort; practicing half an hour every day is more effective than cramming for a whole day.

Huán环
bǎo保
gōng工
zuò作
yào要
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
shì是
sān三
fēn分
zhōng钟
rè热
dù度
 。

Environmental protection requires sustained, continuous effort; it cannot be just a passing fad.

Show 2 more examples
Zuò做
xué学
wèn问
guì贵
zài在
chí持
zhī之
yǐ以
héng恒
 ,
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
zhōng终
néng能
jiàn见
chéng成
xiào效
 。

The value of scholarship lies in perseverance and steady, continuous effort; eventually, results will be seen.

Duàn锻
liàn炼
shēn身
tǐ体
yào要
xì细
shuǐ水
cháng长
liú流
 ,
zuì最
hǎo好
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
néng能
jiān坚
chí持
 。

Physical exercise should be done continuously in moderation; it's best to persist every day.