chí zhī yǐ héng: 持之以恒 - To Persevere, To Persist with Constancy

• Keywords: chizhiyiheng, 持之以恒, persevere in Chinese, persistence Chinese idiom, Chinese proverb about not giving up, how to say stick with it in Chinese, long-term commitment, Chinese chengyu, steady effort, constancy.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) that encapsulates the virtue of perseverance and constancy. More than just “not giving up,” this term represents the deeply respected cultural value of applying steady, unwavering effort over a long period to achieve a significant goal. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural importance, and practical usage with example sentences, helping you understand how to talk about persistence and long-term commitment in authentic Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chí zhī yǐ héng
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ)
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To persevere in something with unwavering constancy over a long period.
• In a Nutshell: 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) is the Chinese equivalent of “slow and steady wins the race.” It's not about a frantic burst of energy, but about the quiet, consistent, and determined effort you apply day after day. It's used to describe the admirable quality of someone who sticks with a difficult task—like learning a language, mastering an instrument, or building a business—without giving up. The core feeling is one of admirable, patient, and resolute determination.

• 持 (chí): To hold, to grasp, to maintain. Imagine physically holding onto something and not letting go.
• 之 (zhī): A classical grammar particle that acts as a pronoun here, meaning “it.” It refers to the goal, the action, or the ideal that you are holding onto.
• 以 (yǐ): A preposition meaning “with” or “by means of.” It connects the action of holding with the quality used to do it.
• 恒 (héng): Constant, permanent, persistent. This character is the key to the idiom's meaning, implying a state of permanence and endurance.

When combined, 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) literally translates to “to hold it with constancy.” This creates a powerful mental image: you are grasping your goal (持之) and the tool you're using to hold on is your unwavering persistence (以恒).

• A Core Confucian Value: The concept of 持之以恒 is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, which emphasizes diligence, patience, and self-cultivation (修身, xiūshēn). Achieving mastery or wisdom isn't seen as an act of sudden genius, but as the result of a long, disciplined journey. This idiom perfectly captures that belief. It is a moral virtue as much as a practical strategy.
• Comparison to Western “Grit”: In the West, the concept of “grit” has become popular, describing passion and perseverance for long-term goals. While similar, 持之以恒 has a different flavor. “Grit” can sometimes be associated with a more aggressive, “hustle culture” mentality. 持之以恒, on the other hand, often implies a calmer, more stoic, and patient form of endurance. It's less about the passionate struggle and more about the quiet, internal resolve and the virtue of consistency itself. It’s the difference between a roaring fire and the steady, powerful flow of a river that eventually carves a canyon.

持之以恒 is a formal and highly positive idiom. You'll encounter it frequently in contexts that involve encouragement, praise, and serious goal-setting.

• In Education: Teachers and parents constantly use this idiom to encourage students. It's a staple of motivational posters in classrooms, reminding students that success in exams like the Gaokao (高考) comes from daily, consistent study, not last-minute cramming.
• In Business and Career: A leader might praise an employee's 持之以恒 on a long, difficult project. It’s also used in company mission statements to signal a commitment to long-term vision over short-term profits.
• In Personal Development: People use it to talk about their own aspirations, such as getting fit, learning a new skill, or quitting a bad habit. Saying you will 持之以恒 adds a layer of serious commitment to your statement.

It is almost always used in a positive and encouraging tone. Its formality means you wouldn't use it for trivial, everyday tasks.

• Example 1:
  • 学习中文需要持之以恒，不能半途而废。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí Zhōngwén xūyào chí zhī yǐ héng, bùnéng bàntú'érfèi.
  • English: Studying Chinese requires perseverance; you can't give up halfway.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example used for learners. It contrasts 持之以恒 directly with its antonym, `半途而废` (to give up halfway), highlighting its meaning.
• Example 2:
  • 只要你持之以恒地练习，你的钢琴水平一定会提高。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào nǐ chí zhī yǐ héng de liànxí, nǐ de gāngqín shuǐpíng yīdìng huì tígāo.
  • English: As long as you practice persistently, your piano skills will definitely improve.
  • Analysis: The structure `只要…就…` (as long as… then…) is often paired with this idiom to show a cause-and-effect relationship between persistent effort and a positive result.
• Example 3:
  • 他的成功归功于他多年来在研究上的持之以恒。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng guīgōng yú tā duōnián lái zài yánjiū shàng de chí zhī yǐ héng.
  • English: His success is attributed to his years of perseverance in research.
  • Analysis: Here, 持之以恒 is used as a noun phrase (“the act of perseverance”) to explain the reason for a significant achievement.
• Example 4:
  • 减肥不是一件容易的事，关键在于持之以恒。
  • Pinyin: Jiǎnféi bùshì yī jiàn róngyì de shì, guānjiàn zàiyú chí zhī yǐ héng.
  • English: Losing weight is not an easy thing; the key lies in being persistent.
  • Analysis: This shows how the idiom is used to state the “key” (`关键`) to achieving a difficult personal goal.
• Example 5:
  • 我们的团队需要持之以恒的精神来克服目前的困难。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de tuánduì xūyào chí zhī yǐ héng de jīngshén lái kèfú mùqián de kùnnán.
  • English: Our team needs a spirit of perseverance to overcome the current difficulties.
  • Analysis: The phrase `持之以恒的精神` (the spirit of perseverance) is common in business or team settings to foster a collective sense of determination.
• Example 6:
  • 爷爷总是教导我，做任何事都要持之以恒，有始有终。
  • Pinyin: Yéyé zǒngshì jiàodǎo wǒ, zuò rèn hé shì dōu yào chí zhī yǐ héng, yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng.
  • English: My grandpa always taught me that no matter what you do, you must persevere and see it through to the end.
  • Analysis: This example frames the idiom as a piece of wisdom passed down through generations, emphasizing its cultural importance.
• Example 7:
  • 只有持之以恒，梦想才有可能成为现实。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu chí zhī yǐ héng, mèngxiǎng cái yǒu kěnéng chéngwéi xiànshí.
  • English: Only with perseverance can a dream possibly become a reality.
  • Analysis: This is a motivational, almost poetic sentence structure often found in speeches or encouraging messages.
• Example 8:
  • 保护环境需要我们每个人持之以恒的努力。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù huánjìng xūyào wǒmen měi ge rén chí zhī yǐ héng de nǔlì.
  • English: Protecting the environment requires the persistent effort of every one of us.
  • Analysis: This applies the idiom to a large-scale, societal goal, showing its versatility for both personal and collective endeavors.
• Example 9:
  • 他持之以恒地给那个女孩写信，最后终于打动了她。
  • Pinyin: Tā chí zhī yǐ héng de gěi nàge nǚhái xiě xìn, zuìhòu zhōngyú dǎdòngle tā.
  • English: He persistently wrote letters to that girl and finally moved her heart.
  • Analysis: While often used for career or study, this shows it can also apply to personal relationships, emphasizing a long and consistent effort.
• Example 10:
  • 水滴石穿，靠的不是力量，而是持之以恒。
  • Pinyin: Shuǐ dī shí chuān, kào de bùshì lìliàng, érshì chí zhī yǐ héng.
  • English: Dripping water penetrates stone, not by force, but by perseverance.
  • Analysis: This sentence pairs 持之以恒 with another famous proverb (`水滴石穿`) that perfectly illustrates its meaning. It's a powerful way to explain the concept.

• Mistake 1: Using it for trivial tasks.
  • Incorrect: 我要持之以恒地喝完这杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào chí zhī yǐ héng de hē wán zhè bēi kāfēi.) - “I will persevere to finish this cup of coffee.”
  • Why it's wrong: 持之以恒 is reserved for significant, long-term, and often difficult goals. Using it for a simple, short-term action sounds overly dramatic and strange. For this, you would simply say 我要把这杯咖啡喝完 (Wǒ yào bǎ zhè bēi kāfēi hē wán).
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with `坚持 (jiānchí)`
  • `坚持 (jiānchí)` is a common verb meaning “to persist” or “to insist.” It's very flexible. You can `坚持` for five more minutes on a treadmill or `坚持` your opinion.
  • `持之以恒` is a more formal idiom that describes the *quality* of long-term, unwavering persistence. It's not just the action, but the virtue behind the action.
  • Good `坚持` example: 再坚持一下，我们就到山顶了！ (Zài jiānchí yīxià, wǒmen jiù dào shāndǐng le!) - “Persist a little longer, and we'll be at the summit!” (You cannot use 持之以恒 here).
  • Comparison: If `坚持` is the engine that keeps you going, `持之以恒` is the high-quality engineering of that engine, designed for a long and steady journey. You use `坚持` in the moment; you use `持之以恒` to describe the entire successful journey.

• 坚持 (jiānchí): To persist, to insist. The common, everyday verb for “sticking to it.” 持之以恒 is a more formal and profound way to describe a long-term act of 坚持.
• 毅力 (yìlì): Willpower, perseverance, stamina. This is the personal quality or noun that enables a person to 持之以恒.
• 锲而不舍 (qiè'érbùshě): “To chip away and not give up.” A very close synonym for 持之以恒, also a formal idiom praising relentless effort. It has a slightly more “active” or “toiling” feel.
• 半途而废 (bàntú'érfèi): “To give up halfway.” The most direct and common antonym.
• 三天打鱼，两天晒网 (sān tiān dǎ yú, liǎng tiān shài wǎng): “Fish for three days, dry the nets for two.” A vivid idiom describing inconsistent, sporadic effort. The opposite spirit of 持之以恒.
• 有始有终 (yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng): “To have a beginning and an end.” This means to finish what one starts. It's related, but focuses on the act of completion, whereas 持之以恒 focuses on the process of enduring persistence.
• 水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān): “Dripping water penetrates stone.” A proverb that serves as a perfect metaphor for the power of 持之以恒.
• 愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān): “The foolish old man moves the mountains.” A famous fable about a man who, through sheer, unwavering determination across generations, attempts to move two mountains. It is the ultimate story of 持之以恒.