一步一个脚印

yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn: 一步一个脚印 - Step by Step, One Step at a Time

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 一步一个脚印, yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn, one step at a time Chinese idiom, step by step Chinese, Chinese saying for steady progress, down-to-earth, practical work ethic, Chinese chengyu, learning Chinese idioms, perseverance in Chinese culture.
  • Summary: The Chinese idiom 一步一个脚印 (yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn) literally translates to “one step, one footprint.” It champions the value of making slow, steady, and solid progress. This phrase is used to describe a down-to-earth, methodical, and reliable approach to work, study, or life, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation rather than rushing for quick, superficial results. It's a cornerstone of the Chinese work ethic, celebrating diligence and tangible achievements.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn
  • Part of Speech: 成语 (chéngyǔ) - Idiom / Four-Character Phrase
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To take one step and leave one footprint; to work steadily, methodically, and make solid progress.
  • In a Nutshell: Imagine walking on wet sand. With every step you take, you leave a clear, deep footprint. This is the visual metaphor of `一步一个脚印`. It's not just about moving forward, but about moving forward in a way that is deliberate, solid, and verifiable. It embodies the spirit of being grounded, diligent, and trustworthy, focusing on the quality and substance of each step rather than the speed of the journey.

Character Breakdown

  • 一 (yī): The number “one” or “a single”.
  • 步 (bù): A “step” or “pace”.
  • 一个 (yīgè): “A single one” or “one of”. The `个 (gè)` is a general measure word.
  • 脚印 (jiǎoyìn): A “footprint”. This is a compound word:
    • 脚 (jiǎo): Foot.
    • 印 (yìn): A print, mark, or seal.
  • These characters combine to create a vivid, literal image: “One step, one footprint.” This straightforward visual directly translates into the metaphorical meaning of ensuring every action (every “step”) produces a real, tangible result (a “footprint”).

Cultural Context and Significance

  • `一步一个脚印` is more than just a phrase; it's a window into a core value in Chinese culture: the virtue of diligence (勤奋 - qínfèn) and pragmatism. It stands in direct opposition to “get-rich-quick” schemes or cutting corners. In a culture that has historically valued agriculture and craftsmanship, the idea of slow, patient, and solid work is deeply respected. This idiom is often used by parents, teachers, and mentors to instill a strong work ethic.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: A close Western equivalent is “slow and steady wins the race.” However, there's a key difference. The Western phrase focuses on the outcome (winning the race). `一步一个脚印` focuses on the process and its integrity. The emphasis is on the tangible evidence of your effort—the “footprint”—which proves your work is real and solid. It's less about competition and more about building something of lasting value, be it a skill, a project, or one's own character.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • This idiom is highly positive and is used in both formal and informal contexts to praise or advise.
  • In Education: A teacher might say this to a student who is struggling, encouraging them to focus on mastering one concept at a time. “学习要一步一个脚印” (Studying requires a step-by-step approach).
  • In Business and Career: It's used to praise a reliable employee or to describe a company's strategy of solid, sustainable growth. It's an excellent phrase to use in a job interview to describe your work ethic.
  • In Personal Development: People use it to describe their journey of learning a language, mastering a musical instrument, or achieving a long-term personal goal. It implies a commitment to the process.
  • Connotation: Overwhelmingly positive. It conveys reliability, diligence, thoroughness, and integrity.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 学习中文要一步一个脚印，不能急于求成。
    • Pinyin: Xuéxí Zhōngwén yào yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn, bùnéng jíyúqiúchéng.
    • English: To learn Chinese, you have to do it step by step; you can't be impatient for quick success.
    • Analysis: This is a classic piece of advice for language learners. It contrasts the ideal approach (`一步一个脚印`) with its opposite, `急于求成` (impatient for success).
  • Example 2:
    • 他这个人做事很踏实，总是一步一个脚印。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zuòshì hěn tāshi, zǒngshì yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn.
    • English: He is a very down-to-earth person in his work, always proceeding steadily and surely.
    • Analysis: This sentence uses `踏实` (tāshi - steadfast, down-to-earth) to describe a person's character, and `一步一个脚印` to describe their method of action. The two terms reinforce each other perfectly.
  • Example 3:
    • 我们公司靠着一步一个脚印的精神，才有了今天的成就。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī kàozhe yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn de jīngshén, cái yǒule jīntiān de chéngjiù.
    • English: Our company, relying on the spirit of steady and solid work, was able to achieve what it has today.
    • Analysis: This attributes a company's success to a core value or “spirit” (精神 - jīngshén). It's a common way to talk about organizational culture.
  • Example 4:
    • 做研究就要有一步一个脚印的态度，不能投机取巧。
    • Pinyin: Zuò yánjiū jiù yào yǒu yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn de tàidù, bùnéng tóujīqǔqiǎo.
    • English: Doing research requires a step-by-step attitude; you can't try to use clever tricks to get by.
    • Analysis: This highlights the importance of integrity and thoroughness in an academic or scientific context. `投机取巧` (tóujīqǔqiǎo) means to seize an opportunity for a slick advantage, the direct opposite of the idiom's meaning.
  • Example 5:
    • 这个项目很复杂，我们只能一步一个脚印地来。
    • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù hěn fùzá, wǒmen zhǐnéng yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn de lái.
    • English: This project is very complex; we can only tackle it one step at a time.
    • Analysis: The adverbial particle `地 (de)` is used here to turn the idiom into an adverb modifying the verb `来 (lái)`, which in this context means “to do” or “to handle.”
  • Example 6:
    • 年轻人，做事要一步一个脚印，基础打牢了才能走得更远。
    • Pinyin: Niánqīngrén, zuòshì yào yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn, jīchǔ dǎ láole cáinéng zǒu de gèng yuǎn.
    • English: Young people, you must work one step at a time. Only by building a solid foundation can you go further.
    • Analysis: This is typical advice from an elder to a younger person. It links the idiom directly to the concept of building a foundation (`基础` - jīchǔ).
  • Example 7:
    • 她一步一个脚印地练习，终于成为了一个出色的钢琴家。
    • Pinyin: Tā yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn de liànxí, zhōngyú chéngwéile yīgè chūsè de gāngqínjiā.
    • English: She practiced steadily and diligently, and finally became an outstanding pianist.
    • Analysis: This shows how sustained, methodical effort leads to a successful outcome. `终于` (zhōngyú - finally) emphasizes the culmination of this long process.
  • Example 8:
    • 回顾我的职业生涯，我都是一步一个脚印走过来的。
    • Pinyin: Huígù wǒ de zhíyè shēngyá, wǒ dōu shì yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn zǒu guòlái de.
    • English: Looking back on my career, I got here by taking it one solid step at a time.
    • Analysis: This is a way of expressing pride in one's hard, honest work over a long period. `走过来 (zǒu guòlái)` means “to have walked over” or “to have come through,” which fits perfectly with the walking metaphor.
  • Example 9:
    • 尽管困难重重，但只要我们一步一个脚印，就一定能克服。
    • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, dàn zhǐyào wǒmen yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn, jiù yīdìng néng kèfú.
    • English: Although there are many difficulties, as long as we proceed steadily, we can certainly overcome them.
    • Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to offer encouragement and a solution in the face of challenges (`困难重重` - difficulties upon difficulties).
  • Example 10:
    • 他的成功不是偶然的，是他一步一个脚印努力的结果。
    • Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng bùshì ǒurán de, shì tā yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn nǔlì de jiéguǒ.
    • English: His success is no accident; it is the result of his steady, step-by-step efforts.
    • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that success was earned through diligent work, not luck (`偶然` - accidental, by chance).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Don't use it for simple walking: While the literal meaning is about walking, the phrase is almost always used metaphorically. To say “I'm going to the store,” you would just say `我去商店 (Wǒ qù shāngdiàn)`. Using `我一步一个脚印地去商店` would sound overly dramatic, as if you were on an epic quest.
  • It's about thoroughness, not just slowness: A common mistake is to think `一步一个脚印` just means “slow.” While methodical work can be slow, the core meaning is about being solid, thorough, and reliable. One can work efficiently and still be `一步一个脚印` as long as the work quality is high and no steps are skipped. The opposite is “rushed” or “sloppy,” not necessarily “fast.”
  • False Friend Alert: “Step-by-step”: In English, “step-by-step” is often a neutral instruction (e.g., “Follow the recipe step-by-step”). In Chinese, `一步一个脚印` carries a strong positive moral and ethical weight. It implies virtue, diligence, and integrity, which the English phrase doesn't always carry.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì): “To have one's feet planted on solid ground.” A very close synonym that also emphasizes being practical, grounded, and not indulging in fantasy.
  • 踏实 (tāshi): Down-to-earth, steadfast, dependable. This is an adjective describing the personal quality of someone who works in an `一步一个脚印` manner.
  • 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn): “To follow a proper sequence and advance gradually.” A more formal and technical synonym, often used in the context of learning, training, or systematic processes.
  • 坚持不懈 (jiānchí bùxiè): “To persevere unremittingly.” Describes the endurance and persistence required to maintain an `一步一个脚印` approach over the long term.
  • 勤奋 (qínfèn): Diligent, hardworking. The core personal virtue that `一步一个脚印` embodies.
  • 急于求成 (jí yú qiú chéng): “Anxious for quick success.” A direct antonym, describing the impatient mindset that leads to cutting corners.
  • 好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn): “To aim too high and pursue distant goals”; to be overly ambitious and unrealistic. This is another antonym describing someone who is not grounded in reality.