Chinese idiom · 成语
一曝十寒
Meaning
One day’s sun, ten days’ cold; inconsistent effort.
Character by character
Origin and story
Philosophical analogyIn the Mencius, Gaozi I, Mencius explains why occasional good counsel cannot make a ruler wise. Even something very easy to grow, he says, will fail if warmed in the sun for one day and chilled for ten. His own visits are rare; after he leaves, other influences arrive and undo the small beginnings of growth.
The passage then turns to two pupils learning the game of go, only one of whom pays full attention. The plant comparison gave rise to 一暴十寒, also written 一曝十寒, for effort repeatedly interrupted. It is about sustained conditions and commitment, not a claim that one particular farmer conducted this experiment.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
练口语不能一曝十寒，我决定每天录一小段自我介绍。
Speaking practice cannot be sporadic, so I decided to record a short self-introduction every day.
Criticizes bursts of effort followed by long neglect; 曝 is pù.