持之以恒

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: chí zhī yǐ héng
• English Translation: Persevere with constancy (to keep at it)
• Idiom Composition: 「持」（To maintain, uphold, or persist in.）＋「之」（A pronoun referring to the task, goal, or action being performed.）＋「以」（Using or by means of.）＋「恒」（Constancy, a steady heart, or permanence.）
• Meaning: To persist in an activity or effort with a steady heart and strong will over a long period without giving up.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「持之以恒」 contains the following nuances:

• Volitional Persistence: This idiom emphasizes the 'will' and 'constant heart' (恒心 - héng xīn) of the individual, rather than just the passive passage of time.
• Positive Connotation: It is exclusively used for positive habits or the pursuit of noble goals. It is never used to describe persisting in a bad habit or a negative behavior.
• Grammatical Structure: The phrase is an inversion of 以恒持之 (yǐ héng chí zhī), which literally means 'to maintain it with constancy.' The character 之 (zhī) acts as the object of the verb.

3. Usage

「持之以恒」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Learning and Skill Acquisition: Used to emphasize the importance of long-term commitment in fields where results take time, such as language learning or musical practice.
  • Example:「学习外语没有捷径，只有持之以恒才能掌握。」
    （There are no shortcuts to learning a foreign language; you can only master it if you persevere with constancy.）
• Health and Exercise: Suitable for discussing activities that require daily accumulation, such as dieting or strength training.
  • Example:「要想保持健康的身体，必须持之以恒地锻炼。」
    （If you want to maintain a healthy body, you must persistently exercise.）
• Mottos and Advice: Used as a secret to success or words of encouragement, ranging from formal speeches to daily conversation.
  • Example:「做事最怕三分钟热度，贵在持之以恒。」
    （The most fearful thing in doing anything is 'three-minute heat' (short-lived enthusiasm); what is precious is perseverance.）

Additional Examples:

1. 环保工作需要全社会持之以恒的努力。
   （Environmental protection work requires sustained efforts from the whole society.）
2. 他持之以恒地写了十年日记，从未间断。
   （He persevered in writing a diary for ten years without ever stopping.）
3. 只要持之以恒，哪怕是再大的困难也能克服。
   （As long as you keep at it, even the greatest difficulties can be overcome.）
4. 这种持之以恒的精神值得我们每个人学习。
   （This spirit of perseverance is something every one of us should learn from.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The phrase originates from the family instructions of the Qing Dynasty statesman Zeng Guofan (曾国藩) to his son, where he famously advised to 'advance with vigor and maintain it with constancy' (持之以恒 - chí zhī yǐ héng).
• In Chinese culture, the concept of 恒 (héng), or 'constancy,' is a core Confucian virtue. Steady, long-term effort is traditionally valued more highly than a temporary burst of intense energy.
• Today, it is one of the most common idioms in China, frequently appearing in school slogans, corporate values, and self-help literature as a fundamental principle for success.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě): To keep carving without stopping; implies persistence even in the face of great difficulty.link
  • 坚持不懈 (jiān chí bù xiè): To persevere without slackening; emphasizes finishing what one started.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): To give up halfway; to leave a task unfinished.link
  • 一暴十寒 (yí pù shí hán): One day of sun followed by ten days of cold; describes a lack of consistency or 'hot and cold' effort.
  • 自暴自弃 (zì qiáng bù xī): To give up on oneself and abandon all hope.link

6. Summary

持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) is a highly positive idiom used to describe the act of sticking to a goal with unwavering determination. It reflects the philosophy that 'persistence is the key to success' and is commonly applied to education, sports, and professional development.