shì事effortbàn半halfgōng功resultbèi倍double
To achieve twice the result with half the effort; to get great results with little effort.
Literal meaning
effort (事) — half (半) — result (功) — double (倍)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing efficiency and effectiveness.
Examples
Yòng zhèngquè de fāngfǎ xuéxí, kěyǐ shìbàngōngbèi.用正确的方法学习，可以事半功倍。
Studying with the right method can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Tuánduì hézuò kěyǐ shìbàngōngbèi, tígāo gōngzuò xiàolǜ.团队合作可以事半功倍，提高工作效率。
Teamwork can achieve twice the result with half the effort and improve work efficiency.
Usage & nuances
Implies efficiency and effectiveness.
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