Chinese Idioms about Hard Work & Perseverance

Keep chiseling without giving up — persist through the slow grind.

Dripping water pierces stone — small efforts compound across time.

Strive ceaselessly to better oneself.

Hold to it with steady persistence — keep showing up.

The Foolish Old Man moves the mountains — generational determination outlasts any obstacle.

Firmly settled, unmoved — resolutely committed.

Unbent by a hundred setbacks — undaunted by repeated failure.

Heavy responsibility, long road — a big task with no quick finish.

Sleep on firewood, taste gall — endure self-imposed hardship to remember and avenge a defeat.

Rising to practise sword at the cock's crow — relentless self-discipline.

Persevere without slackening — keep at it without letting up.

To give up halfway; to leave something unfinished.

To spare no effort; to do one's utmost.

To be dejected; to be in low spirits; crestfallen.

To forget to eat and sleep; to be completely engrossed in one's work.

To dash on bravely; to disregard one's safety; to act heroically.

Exposed to the wind as one's meal and dew as one's bed; to endure the hardships of traveling and living outdoors.

Exposed to the elements; to undergo hardship and tribulation.

A turn in the path reveals new vistas; a change for the better after a setback.

Rain or shine; regardless of the weather; to let nothing stand in the way.

To fall short of success for lack of a final effort; to fail within an inch of success.

To look for a needle in a haystack; to search for something that is nearly impossible to find.

Merit for distinguished service; contribution in war or work.

To turn danger into safety; to avert a crisis.

Anxious for quick results; eager to achieve success immediately.

To be down-to-earth; to be practical and realistic.

To spare no effort; to do one's utmost.

To economize on clothing and food; to live frugally.

Cautious and conscientious; scrupulous.

Lasting for a long time; unceasing.

Completely exhausted; utterly worn out.

To strive for perfection; constantly improving.

To concentrate one's attention; to focus one's energies.

After suffering comes happiness; sweet comes after bitterness.

Not easily obtained; hard-won.

To enjoy something and never tire of it; to be happy to do something again and again.

To immerse oneself in hard work; to bury oneself in one's work.

Unknown to the public; obscure; without fame or recognition.

Rare and commendable; estimable; praiseworthy.

To cut off all means of retreat; to burn one's bridges; to commit oneself fully to a task.

to work together with one heart; to be of one mind

by every possible means; by hook or by crook

Advance wave upon wave; one falls, another steps into the breach.

To concentrate one's attention; to be absorbed in.

With all one's heart and soul; wholeheartedly; devotedly.

Day after day; day in and day out.

To have one's wish fulfilled; to get what one wanted.

Again and again; repeatedly; time and again.

Constant dripping wears away the stone; perseverance achieves success.

To cross a river in the same boat; to be in the same boat; to stick together in difficulties; to share weal and woe.

To stand out from the crowd; to distinguish oneself.

In any case; no matter what.

To try every possible way; to do everything possible.

To proceed step by step; to advance gradually in due order.

Day and night; around the clock.

To do something in one vigorous effort; to press on to the finish without letup.

As before; just as in the past.

Meticulous; scrupulous; not the least bit negligent.

Wholeheartedly; with single-hearted devotion.

To advance bravely; to march forward courageously.

To continue to put in more effort; to keep up the good work; to go on to greater heights.

to fight for every minute and second; to race against time

unity is strength; many hearts build a city wall

Regenerate through one's own effort; self-reliance.

From beginning to end; from start to finish.

To have no way out; to be in a hopeless situation.