zeoi6 saa1 sing4 taap3聚沙成塔

Jyutpingzeoi6 saa1 sing4 taap3

Yalejeuih sā sìhng taap

語句

Definition

Many small things accumulate to make a great thing; many grains of sand pile up to make a pagoda.

neutralother

How it's used

Idioms like this are often used in formal speeches or advice to emphasize the importance of persistence and small steps. While it sounds literary, it is frequently used in daily life to encourage people who feel discouraged by slow progress. It carries a positive, encouraging tone that implies a grand result is possible through patience.

Examples

nei5你mui5每jat6日cou5儲siu2少siu2少cin4錢，zeoi6聚saa1沙sing4成taap3塔，hou2好faai3快gau3夠maai5買lau2樓。

If you save a little money every day, it will accumulate into a large sum, and soon you will have enough to buy a flat.

hok6學zaap6習jyu5語jin4言jiu3要zeoi6聚saa1沙sing4成taap3塔，m4唔hou2好nam2諗zyu6住jat1一jat6日ho2可ji5以hok6學sik1識saai3晒。

Learning a language requires gradual accumulation; don't think you can master it all in one day.

Common phrases

zeoi6聚saa1沙sing4成taap3塔ge3嘅zing1精san4神

the spirit of accumulation

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple verb, but it is a four-character idiom that acts as a complete thought or piece of advice. It cannot be modified by aspect markers like 咗 or 緊, and it is not used to describe physical piles of sand.