CHENGYU
熟能生巧(shú néng shēng qiǎo)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, encouraging
- Source:
- 俗语（清代以来常用）
MEANING
- Literal
- skill grows from practice
- Figurative meaning
- practice makes perfect
ORIGIN STORY
A later-dynasty saying that sums up the experience of craftsmen: repetition turns effort into art.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“practice makes perfect”
EXAMPLES
多练就会了，熟能生巧。Duō liàn jiù huì le, shú néng shēng qiǎo.HSK5
Keep practicing and it will come — practice makes perfect.
打字打得快是练出来的，熟能生巧。Dǎzì dǎ de kuài shì liàn chūlái de, shú néng shēng qiǎo.HSK5
Fast typing comes from practice — skill grows from repetition.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: A popular saying, not a classical story; do not fabricate an ancient origin.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-14
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01