水滴石穿 (shuǐdī-shíchuān) translates to 'dripping water can penetrate stone.' This idiom conveys the idea that persistent effort can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is commonly used to encourage perseverance and hard work in various contexts, such as studying or pursuing long-term goals.
HSK 7, 32 strokes, Hard
shuǐdī-shíchuān(shui3di1shi2chuan1) T3
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May 27, 2026
水滴石穿shuǐdī-shíchuān(shui3di1shi2chuan1)
水滴石穿 (shuǐdī-shíchuān) translates to 'dripping water can penetrate stone.' This idiom conveys the idea that persistent effort can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is commonly used to encourage perseverance and hard work in various contexts, such as studying or pursuing long-term goals.
Strokes32Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of persistence reflected in this idiom aligns with traditional Chinese values of hard work and determination, often seen in historical anecdotes of scholars and laborers who achieved success through relentless effort.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small, steady drip of water falling onto a stone. Over time, the relentless drops create a hole in the stone, symbolizing how consistent effort can lead to significant achievements. The components '水' (water) and '石' (stone) reinforce this imagery, while '滴' (drip) and '穿' (to penetrate) illustrate the action of persistence.
About 水滴石穿
水滴石穿Simplified
32Strokes
—Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 水滴石穿
Podcast: 水滴石穿
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AI Study Notes for 水滴石穿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small, steady drip of water falling onto a stone. Over time, the relentless drops create a hole in the stone, symbolizing how consistent effort can lead to significant achievements. The components '水' (water) and '石' (stone) reinforce this imagery, while '滴' (drip) and '穿' (to penetrate) illustrate the action of persistence.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse this idiom with similar expressions that convey different meanings. It is more formal and should be used in motivational contexts rather than casual conversations. Pay attention to the tone, especially in '穿' which requires a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions and their appropriate contexts. This idiom connects with themes of perseverance found in other vocabulary, such as '努力' (nǔlì - effort), enhancing their understanding of motivation in Chinese culture.
Cultural Note
The concept of persistence reflected in this idiom aligns with traditional Chinese values of hard work and determination, often seen in historical anecdotes of scholars and laborers who achieved success through relentless effort.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly say '水滴石穿了' assuming it's a completed action, while it should be used as a general statement. Correct usage would be just '水滴石穿' without the past tense marker '了'.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 水滴石穿
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Cultural Notes for 水滴石穿
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of persistence reflected in this idiom aligns with traditional Chinese values of hard work and determination, often seen in historical anecdotes of scholars and laborers who achieved success through relentless effort.
Frequently Asked Questions about 水滴石穿
It literally means 'dripping water can penetrate stone,' indicating that persistent effort can achieve difficult goals.
You can use it to encourage someone to keep trying despite challenges, such as in academic or professional settings.
It is more commonly used in formal contexts or motivational speeches rather than casual conversations.
