欲速则不达 — “Haste makes waste”
欲速则不达 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Haste makes waste”. Attempting to achieve results too quickly will only lead to failure or hinder one's progress. Literally, “To desire speed is to not attain”.
欲速则不达 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 欲yù
- 速sù
- 则zé
- 不bù
- 达dá
欲速则不达 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 欲速则不达
Origin and Story of 欲速则不达
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius, when he was young, worked as a charioteer. From the 'start, drive, turn, and stop' techniques of charioteering, he came to understand many life principles.
For example, he said, 'Do not desire quick results; do not be tempted by small advantages. For desiring quick results prevents attainment, and being tempted by small advantages prevents great achievements.' While traveling across various states, he shared these insights with his disciples.
Zilu once teased him about his frequent political setbacks, and Confucius used the principle of 'haste makes waste' (欲速则不达) to explain the situation.
Idioms Related to 欲速则不达
Synonyms of 欲速则不达
Antonyms of 欲速则不达
More idioms starting with 欲
- yù欲bù不kě可zòng纵Do not indulge desires excessively
- yù欲rén人wù勿zhī知，，mò莫ruò若wù勿wèi为If you don't want it known, don't do it
- yù欲rén人wù勿wén闻，，mò莫ruò若wù勿yán言If you don't want it heard, don't say it
- yù欲jiā加zhī之zuì罪trumped-up charge
- yù欲jiā加zhī之zuì罪，，hé何huàn患wú无cí辞If you want to condemn, you'll find a pretext
- yù欲qǔ取gū姑yǔ与Give a little to take a lot
- yù欲qǔ取gū姑yǔ予Give a little to gain a lot
- yù欲hè壑nán难tián填desire is a bottomless pit
- yù欲dé得ér而gān甘xīn心satisfied only when one gets revenge
- yù欲yáng扬xiān先yì抑suppress first to elevate later
- yù欲qín擒xiān先zòng纵release to catch
- yù欲qín擒gù故zòng纵to loosen to catch
Questions about 欲速则不达
- What does 欲速则不达 mean?
- 欲速则不达 (yù sù zé bù dá) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Haste makes waste”.
- How do you pronounce 欲速则不达?
- 欲速则不达 is pronounced yù sù zé bù dá in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 欲速则不达 literally mean?
- Literally, 欲速则不达 means “to desire speed is to not attain”. It is used to mean “Haste makes waste”.
- Where does 欲速则不达 come from?
- 欲速则不达 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 欲速则不达?
- 速：快；达：达到。指过于性急图快，反而不能达到目的。