Chinese idiom · 成语
细水长流
Meaning
Thin stream, long flow; sustained moderation.
Character by character
Origin and story
Religious teachingThe Buddhist Scripture of the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching urges monks to keep making steady effort. Its image is a small stream that continues flowing until it penetrates stone. A contrasting image warns that stopping before friction has produced fire will prevent the desired flame. Both emphasize continuity rather than a brief burst of exertion.
The scripture's wording is 小水常流, not the exact later idiom. The familiar form preserves that image of modest but sustained flow. Besides persistent effort, it can describe careful spending that makes resources last, or a relationship maintained through quiet, continuing care.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
学语言还是细水长流，每天练十分钟比偶尔猛学一天更容易坚持。
Language learning benefits from steady effort: ten minutes daily is easier to sustain than an occasional full-day burst.
Small but continuing effort; also economical use of resources.