Definition
水滴石穿 is a chengyu (set phrase) that literally means 'dripping water penetrates rock' — it emphasizes that steady, patient effort over time can achieve even the hardest goal. It differs from 锲而不舍, which focuses on the determination to keep going without giving up; 水滴石穿 adds the idea of gradual accumulation and eventual breakthrough.
phrase
(literal) dripping water penetrates rock(figurative) constant perseverance leads to successwith steady efforteven the hardest goal can be achieved
Examples
- ，水滴石穿，。Zhǐyào jiānchí búxiè, shuǐ dī-shí chuān, zài nán de shìqing yě néng zuòchéng.As long as you keep persisting, like dripping water wearing through stone, even the hardest thing can be accomplished.
- 水滴石穿，。Xuéxí wàiyǔ xūyào shuǐ dī-shí chuān de jīngshén, měitiān jìnbù yì diǎndiǎn.Learning a foreign language requires the spirit of constant perseverance, making a little progress every day.
- 水滴石穿，。Zhège gùshi gàosu wǒmen shuǐ dī-shí chuān de dàoli, xiǎo shì jīlěi duō le jiù huì fāshēng dà biànhuà.This story teaches us the principle of constant perseverance: small things accumulated will bring about big changes.
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