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hòu 厚 jī 积 bó 薄 fā 发

厚积薄发 hòu jī bó fā

to build up a deep reserve before producing sparingly; long preparation leads to a strong result

Literally: thick accumulate thin release

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Origin

From Su Shi's essay 稼说送张琥: 博观而约取,厚积而薄发, advising wide reading and cautious output.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive, formal. Often 厚积薄发的过程.

Example sentences

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  1. 这位作家沉默了十年，新书一出版就引起轰动，可谓厚积薄发。
    Zhè wèi zuòjiā chénmò le shí nián, xīn shū yī chūbǎn jiù yǐnqǐ hōngdòng, kěwèi hòu jī bó fā.
    This writer was silent for ten years; the moment the new book came out it caused a sensation, a real case of long preparation paying off.
    this (measure) writer silent (particle) ten years, new book once publish then cause sensation, can-be-called thick accumulate thin release
  2. 学术研究需要厚积薄发，急于求成往往写不出好论文。
    Xuéshù yánjiū xūyào hòu jī bó fā, jíyú qiúchéng wǎngwǎng xiě bù chū hǎo lùnwén.
    Academic research requires deep accumulation before output; rushing for results rarely produces good papers.
    academic research need thick accumulate thin release, anxious-for seek-success often write not out good paper

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