脚踏实地

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jiǎo tà shí dì
• English Translation: To have one's feet on solid ground (down-to-earth)
• Idiom Composition: 「脚」（Foot）＋「踏」（To step on or tread）＋「实」（Solid, real, or substantial）＋「地」（Ground or earth）
• Meaning: Literally meaning 'to step on solid ground,' this idiom describes an attitude of being realistic, steady, and earnest in work or study, rather than chasing unrealistic dreams or vanity.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「脚踏实地」 contains the following nuances:

• Realistic Attitude: Emphasizes facing reality and dealing with achievable tasks rather than chasing high-reaching or unrealistic dreams.
• Steady Effort: Describes a diligent and hardworking manner that focuses on building a solid foundation and progressing one step at a time.

3. Usage

「脚踏实地」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Attitude towards work or study: Used to praise those who work diligently and step-by-step, or to recommend such a steady approach.
  • Example:「要想取得好成绩，必须脚踏实地，不能总想着走捷径。」
    （If you want to get good grades, you must work steadily and not always look for shortcuts.）
• Character evaluation: A standard phrase for describing a reliable person who is not flighty or superficial.
  • Example:「老板很欣赏他那种脚踏实地的工作作风。」
    （The boss really appreciates his down-to-earth working style.）

Additional Examples:

1. 年轻人创业要脚踏实地，先从小事做起。
   （When young people start a business, they should be down-to-earth and start with small things first.）
2. 与其整天做白日梦，不如脚踏实地去学一门技术。
   （Instead of daydreaming all day, it is better to earnestly learn a skill.）
3. 我们需要的是脚踏实地的行动，而不是空洞的口号。
   （What we need is practical action, not empty slogans.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom originates from the Song Dynasty (宋朝) historical record Shao Shi Wen Jian Qian Lu (邵氏闻见前录). It was used to describe the character of the famous historian Sima Guang (司马光), who was praised as a man who 'steps on solid ground.'
• In modern society, this value remains highly esteemed as an antidote to 'get-rich-quick' mentalities. It is frequently used in educational settings and corporate slogans to encourage diligence, integrity, and long-term planning.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 兢兢业业 (jīng jīng yè yè): To be cautious, conscientious, and dedicated to one's work.link
  • 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì): To seek truth from facts; to be practical and objective.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn): To reach for what is beyond one's grasp; to aim too high without a solid foundation.link
  • 纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng): Literally 'discussing military strategy on paper'; armchair strategy that lacks practical application.
  • 不切实际 (bù qiè shí jì): Unrealistic; impractical.link

6. Summary

脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) is a highly positive idiom used to describe someone who is practical and works hard in a steady, step-by-step manner. It is one of the highest forms of praise for a person's character, suggesting they are reliable and grounded rather than superficial or overly ambitious without substance.