更进一竿 — “To make further progress”
更进一竿 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make further progress”. To go one step further; to continuously strive for higher achievements. Literally, “Further advance one pole”.
更进一竿 Pronunciation and Pinyin
更进一竿 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 更进一竿
Origin and Story of 更进一竿
During the Song Dynasty, Jing Cen, a highly accomplished Buddhist monk from Changsha, frequently traveled to different regions to preach and explain Buddhist teachings. His lectures were profound yet accessible and captivating.
When his audience discussed the highest spiritual realms with him, he presented a gatha which he read aloud: "A person standing still at the top of a hundred-foot pole, though regarded as accomplished, has not yet reached true understanding. One must make further progress even at the top of a hundred-foot pole; the entire world in all ten directions then becomes one's complete self."
This idiom, originating from Jing Cen's teachings, emphasizes the importance of continuous effort and advancement, even after reaching a significant level of achievement or understanding, urging one to seek even higher levels of mastery or enlightenment.
Idioms Related to 更进一竿
Synonyms of 更进一竿
More idioms starting with 更
- gèng更pú仆nán难jìn尽too many to count
- gēng更pú仆nán难shǔ数too numerous to count
- gēng更pú仆nán难zhōng终too numerous to count
- gēng更lìng令míng明hào号reissue clear commands
- gēng更míng名gǎi改xìng姓change one's name and surname
- gēng更chàng唱dié叠hé和exchange poems or songs
- gēng更chàng唱dié迭hé和sing and respond in turn
- gèng更xìng姓gǎi改míng名change one's name
- gēng更xìng姓gǎi改wù物introduce sweeping reforms and new order
- gēng更xián弦gǎi改zhé辙change one's approach or attitude
- gēng更xián弦yì易zhé辙change one's approach or method
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Open the tool →Questions about 更进一竿
What does 更进一竿 mean?
更进一竿 (gèng jìn yī gān) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make further progress”.
How do you pronounce 更进一竿?
更进一竿 is pronounced gèng jìn yī gān in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 更进一竿 literally mean?
Literally, 更进一竿 means “Further advance one pole”. It is used to mean “to make further progress”.
Where does 更进一竿 come from?
更进一竿 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 更进一竿?
更：再，又；竿：竹竿。又前进了一步。