maan6 zoeng6 gou1 lau4 ping4 dei6 hei2萬丈高樓平地起万丈高楼平地起
Jyutpingmaan6 zoeng6 gou1 lau4 ping4 dei6 hei2
Yalemaahn jeuhng gōu làuh pìhng deih héi
Definition
An expression meaning that everything starts from the foundation, comparable to how great oaks from little acorns grow.
colloquialother
How it's used
This proverb is frequently used to encourage someone who is feeling discouraged by the slow progress of a new project or career. It emphasizes that even the most impressive achievements are built upon humble, initial efforts. It is a common piece of advice given to students or young professionals who want to skip steps or rush the process.
Examples
Great things take time, don't be so impatient for success.
You have to start with the basics when learning, after all, everything starts from the ground up.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical construction projects, as it is strictly a metaphorical expression for personal development, business growth, or learning processes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
