每天成语
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一鼓作气

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: yī gǔ zuò qì
  • English Translation: To finish in one go (while the momentum is high)
  • Idiom Composition: 「一」（First or one）＋「鼓」（To beat a drum (the signal for advance)）＋「作」（To rouse, stimulate, or stir up）＋「气」（Spirit, morale, or energy）
  • Meaning: To accomplish a task in one vigorous effort by capitalizing on initial momentum. Originally referring to the first beat of a war drum that rouses soldiers' spirits, it now describes completing work or studies without interruption while motivation is at its peak.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一鼓作气」 contains the following nuances:

  • Original Meaning of 'First Drum': In ancient warfare, the first beat of the drum was the moment when the soldiers' morale was at its highest peak for the charge.
  • Maintaining Momentum: The idiom is based on the principle that energy and spirit fade over time (再而衰，三而竭). It emphasizes the importance of timing and concentration—similar to the English concept of 'striking while the iron is hot.'
  • Nuance of Completion: It does not just mean starting with energy; it implies using that initial energy to carry the task all the way to completion.

3. Usage

「一鼓作气」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Work and Projects: Used when finishing remaining tasks or difficult work in one sitting without taking a break.
    • Example:「大家累了吧？但还剩最后一点工作，不如我们一鼓作气把它做完再休息。」
      （Everyone is tired, right? But there is only a little work left, so why don't we finish it in one go before we take a rest?）
  • Sports and Competition: Used to encourage a team to press their advantage and win the game without giving the opponent a chance to recover.
    • Example:「下半场我们要一鼓作气，拿下这场比赛！」
      （In the second half, we need to press our advantage and win this game!）
  • Learning and Goal Achievement: Describes the attitude of achieving results while motivation is high, especially for exams or long-term goals.
    • Example:「既然决定考研，就要一鼓作气，不要半途而废。」
      （Since you've decided to take the postgraduate exams, you should see it through in one focused effort and not give up halfway.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 趁着现在大家都在兴头上，我们一鼓作气把方案定下来吧。
    （While everyone is still excited, let's strike while the iron is hot and finalize the plan.）
  2. 登山队一鼓作气，终于登上了顶峰。
    （The climbing team made a final push and finally reached the summit.）
  3. 虽然遇到了困难，但他并没有气馁，而是一鼓作气克服了障碍。
    （Although he encountered difficulties, he did not lose heart; instead, he mustered his energy to overcome the obstacles.）
  4. 写文章最好一鼓作气，断断续续容易打断思路。
    （It is best to write an essay in one sitting; writing intermittently tends to break your train of thought.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Source: The Commentary of Zuo (左传), 10th year of Duke Zhuang. It originates from the story of the military strategist Cao Gui (曹劌) during the Battle of Changshao.
  • Historical Context: Cao Gui advised the Duke to wait until the enemy's drums had sounded three times. He explained that the first drum rouses the spirit, the second sees it flag, and the third sees it exhausted. By attacking when the enemy was exhausted and his own troops were at their first drum, they secured victory.
  • Modern Significance: In modern Chinese society, where speed and efficiency are highly valued, this idiom is frequently used to praise the virtue of working with intense focus rather than procrastinating.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

一鼓作气 (yī gǔ zuò qì) describes using the peak of one's energy to complete a task in a single push. Derived from ancient military strategy, it encourages a positive, 'all-at-once' attitude in modern contexts like work, sports, or exams, emphasizing that momentum is easiest to maintain before it starts to fade.

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