En 15 secondes
- Rushing leads to mistakes and missed goals.
- Rooted in ancient Confucian wisdom about patience.
- Perfect for advising friends or colleagues to slow down.
Signification
This phrase warns you that rushing a task often backfires. If you push for speed over quality, you'll likely end up with mistakes or delays.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Advising a friend on a diet
减肥不能太快，欲速则不达。
You can't lose weight too fast; haste makes waste.
Discussing a work project
我们得仔细检查，毕竟欲速则不达。
We need to check carefully; after all, haste makes waste.
Texting a friend learning piano
慢慢练，欲速则不达嘛！
Practice slowly, haste makes waste, right!
Contexte culturel
Originating from the Analects of Confucius, this phrase reflects the Confucian value of 'The Middle Way.' It emphasizes that true progress requires steady, deliberate effort rather than impulsive haste. It remains a staple of Chinese parenting and management philosophy today.
The 'Ma' Factor
Add `嘛` (ma) at the end to make it sound like a gentle reminder rather than a lecture.
Don't over-philosophize
While it's a great phrase, using it for every tiny delay (like a slow elevator) can make you sound a bit dramatic.
En 15 secondes
- Rushing leads to mistakes and missed goals.
- Rooted in ancient Confucian wisdom about patience.
- Perfect for advising friends or colleagues to slow down.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate 'slow down' warning. It suggests that being overly ambitious about speed actually prevents you from reaching your goal. If you focus only on the finish line, you trip over your own feet. It is about finding the right balance between efficiency and quality.
How To Use It
You can use 欲速则不达 as a standalone piece of advice. It works perfectly when someone is rushing through a project or a meal. You can also embed it into a sentence to explain a failure. It functions like a wise proverb that ends an argument about why something went wrong.
When To Use It
Use it when your friend is cramming for an exam at 3 AM. Use it when a colleague wants to skip the testing phase of an app. It is great for fitness contexts, like when someone tries to lift too much too soon. It fits perfectly in any situation where 'patience' is the missing ingredient.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if someone is actually being too slow. If a waiter is taking two hours to bring your food, this isn't the right vibe. Avoid using it in emergency situations where speed is actually required. It’s also a bit too 'philosophical' for a high-speed sports commentary.
Cultural Background
This gem comes from the 'Analects of Confucius'. Confucius gave this advice to a student who wanted to be a politician. He believed that small gains prevent big things from being accomplished. In Chinese culture, there is a deep respect for 'polishing' a skill over time. It reflects a worldview that values long-term stability over short-term bursts of speed.
Common Variations
You might hear people simply say 别太急 (don't be too hurried) in casual talk. However, using the four-character version makes you sound much more thoughtful. Some people might use the idiom 拔苗助长 (pulling sprouts to help them grow). That one is more about 'forcing' growth, while our phrase is about 'rushing' the process.
Notes d'usage
This is a Chengyu (four-character idiom) that sits in the 'neutral-to-formal' range. It is highly versatile and safe for both professional and casual settings.
The 'Ma' Factor
Add `嘛` (ma) at the end to make it sound like a gentle reminder rather than a lecture.
Don't over-philosophize
While it's a great phrase, using it for every tiny delay (like a slow elevator) can make you sound a bit dramatic.
The Confucius Connection
If you want to impress locals, mention that you know this comes from the `论语` (Analects). It shows you've done your homework!
Exemples
6减肥不能太快，欲速则不达。
You can't lose weight too fast; haste makes waste.
Used here to warn against unhealthy 'crash' diets.
我们得仔细检查，毕竟欲速则不达。
We need to check carefully; after all, haste makes waste.
Professional way to justify taking more time for quality control.
慢慢练，欲速则不达嘛！
Practice slowly, haste makes waste, right!
The particle 'ma' adds a supportive, conversational tone.
学习要打好基础，欲速则不达。
You must build a good foundation; rushing won't get you there.
A classic educational context for this proverb.
火开得太大，肉焦了，真是欲速则不达。
The heat was too high and the meat burnt; haste really does make waste.
Using a grand proverb for a small kitchen mistake.
治愈需要时间，欲速则不达。
Healing takes time; you can't rush the process.
Shows empathy by acknowledging that some things can't be hurried.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the advice.
你想一天就学会中文是不可能的，___。
The sentence says learning Chinese in one day is impossible, so the 'haste makes waste' warning fits perfectly.
Which situation best fits the use of this phrase?
My brother is ___ so I told him '欲速则不达'.
Skipping chapters is a form of rushing that leads to not actually learning (not reaching the goal).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum
Used with close friends, often shortened.
别急，欲速则不达。
Standard usage in daily conversation or advice.
凡事都要慢慢来，欲速则不达。
Used in speeches or writing to sound wise.
古人云：欲速则不达。
Where to use 欲速则不达
Education
Cramming for exams
Fitness
Overtraining at the gym
Business
Rushing a product launch
Relationships
Moving too fast in dating
Banque d exercices
2 exercices你想一天就学会中文是不可能的，___。
The sentence says learning Chinese in one day is impossible, so the 'haste makes waste' warning fits perfectly.
My brother is ___ so I told him '欲速则不达'.
Skipping chapters is a form of rushing that leads to not actually learning (not reaching the goal).
🎉 Score : /2
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! While it has classical roots, people use it in daily speech all the time to give friendly advice like 别急，欲速则不达.
It's better for processes rather than physical speed. For a speeding driver, 安全第一 (safety first) is more common.
In this context, 则 (zé) acts like 'then' or 'consequently.' It connects the 'haste' to the 'not reaching.'
There isn't a shorter idiom, but you can just say 别太赶 (don't be too rushed) for a similar meaning.
It sounds wise, not old-fashioned. Even teenagers might use it ironically or when giving serious advice to a peer.
Yes, it's very appropriate when discussing project timelines or quality concerns to avoid 'cutting corners.'
A common opposite in terms of action is 兵贵神速 (speed is precious in war), which emphasizes the need for quick action.
It can be risky. It might sound like you are lecturing them. Better to say 我们需要更多时间保证质量 (We need more time to ensure quality).
Focus on the tones: yù sù zé bù dá. The rhythm is usually 2-2: 欲速 (pause) 则不达.
Absolutely! It's the perfect response when you feel frustrated that you aren't fluent yet. 学习语言，欲速则不达.
Expressions liées
拔苗助长
To spoil things by excessive enthusiasm (literally: pulling sprouts to help them grow).
急功近利
Seeking instant success and quick profits.
循序渐进
To proceed step by step in an orderly way.
慢工出细活
Fine work comes from slow tasks (quality takes time).
