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夜以继日 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
夜以继日yèyǐjìrìnight and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effortHSK 7, unknown, 26 strokes, rank #17715, Very Hard
yèyǐjìrì(ye4yi3ji4ri4) T4
  1. 1night and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effort
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March 24, 2026

夜以继日(夜以繼日)yèyǐjìrì(ye4yi3ji4ri4)

夜以继日 is an idiom that means to work or strive continuously without rest, day and night. It is often used to describe someone who is dedicated to a task or goal, putting in strenuous effort over a prolonged period.

Strokes26Frequency#17715DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the value of hard work and perseverance is deeply ingrained, often reflected in sayings like 夜以继日. This idiom resonates with the traditional belief in diligence leading to success, especially in education and career.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person who never stops working, even as night falls and the sun rises again. The characters 夜 (night) and 日 (day) represent this relentless cycle, while 以继 (continuously) emphasizes the ongoing nature of their efforts.

Meanings of 夜以继日

yèyǐjìrì(ye4yi3ji4ri4)
1night and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effort
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About 夜以继日

夜以继日Simplified
夜以繼日Traditional
26Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 夜以继日

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Podcast: 夜以继日

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AI Study Notes for 夜以继日

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in formal contexts, such as reports or speeches, to highlight dedication. A common mistake is to misuse it in casual conversations, where simpler phrases might suffice. Be cautious with tone; ensure that '夜' is pronounced with a falling tone (ye4) to avoid confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Though not specifically listed in HSK levels, understanding this idiom can enhance your vocabulary at HSK 5 and above, where idiomatic expressions become more common. Focus on remembering the context in which it is used, especially in academic or professional settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the order of the characters when writing it, mistakenly saying 继日夜 instead of 夜以继日. Remember that the correct order emphasizes the cycle of night followed by day.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 夜以继日

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Idiom Spotlight: 夜以继日

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:night by continue day

Component Characters

夜yènight, dark; under cover of night
HSK 48 strokes夕
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以yǐto use
HSK 54 strokes人
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继jìto continue
HSK 710 strokes纟
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日rìsun
HSK 14 strokes日
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How to say night and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effort in Chinese

“night and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effort” in Chinese is夜以继日yèyǐjìrì

夜以继日 is an idiom that means to work or strive continuously without rest, day and night. It is often used to describe someone who is dedicated to a task or goal, putting in strenuous effort over a prolonged period.

When to use 夜以继日

This idiom is typically used in formal contexts, such as reports or speeches, to highlight dedication. A common mistake is to misuse it in casual conversations, where simpler phrases might suffice. Be cautious with tone; ensure that '夜' is pronounced with a falling tone (ye4) to avoid confusion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the order of the characters when writing it, mistakenly saying 继日夜 instead of 夜以继日. Remember that the correct order emphasizes the cycle of night followed by day.

Write 夜以继日

夜
以
继
日

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Frequently Asked Questions about 夜以继日

While it's technically possible, it's more suited for formal contexts. In casual conversation, simpler phrases may be more appropriate.

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