Chinese idiom · 成语
春华秋实
Meaning
Spring blossoms, autumn fruits; efforts yield results.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary imageSpring blossoms and autumn fruit provide the underlying image. The Hou Han Shu preserves Cui Yin's description of spring flowering and autumn harvest; a related contrast appears in the Sanguozhi's biography of Xing Yong. There Liu Zhen warns Cao Zhi against preferring his own showy literary qualities, likened to spring flowers, while neglecting Xing Yong's substantial worth, likened to autumn fruit.
The expression consequently has more than a seasonal meaning. It can contrast attractive form with solid substance, or describe effort developing into a worthwhile result. The movement from flowering to fruiting gives it an especially fitting image for effort that has matured into achievement.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
从第一次练习到今天的演出，春华秋实，大家的努力终于有了成果。
From the first rehearsal to today's performance, everyone's work has finally borne fruit.
A literary image of development and fruition; 华 is commonly huá in mainland idiom pronunciation.