集腋成裘
jí yè chéng qiú
Small accumulates
Literally: 集 (Collect) 腋 (Underarm fur) 成 (Become) 裘 (Fur coat)
In 15 Seconds
- Small efforts combine to create a great result.
- Like collecting tiny fur scraps to make a royal coat.
- Perfect for discussing savings, habits, or collective teamwork.
Meaning
It means that many small things, when gathered together, can create something huge and impressive. Think of it like saving your loose change until you can buy a plane ticket.
Key Examples
3 of 6Encouraging a friend to save money
每天存一点钱，集腋成裘，年底就能去旅游了。
Save a little every day; small bits add up, and you can travel by year-end.
In a formal business meeting about charity
感谢大家的捐款，集腋成裘，我们一定能帮助更多人。
Thanks for the donations; every little bit helps us reach our goal to help others.
Texting a friend about learning 5 words a day
每天五个单词，集腋成裘，你的汉语肯定会进步！
Five words a day adds up; your Chinese will definitely improve!
Cultural Background
Originating from the Han Dynasty, this idiom highlights the value of the 'fox underarm fur,' which was considered the most precious. It reflects the ancient Chinese philosophy that greatness is rarely an accident but a result of meticulous, long-term accumulation. It remains a popular motivational phrase in both education and business today.
The 'Fox' Factor
If you want to sound extra poetic, remember the fox underarm fur story. It helps you visualize why this phrase is more 'premium' than just saying 'adding up'.
Don't over-casualize
While you can use it with friends, it sounds a bit 'bookish.' If you're just talking about a pile of laundry, stick to simple words or you'll sound like a professor.
In 15 Seconds
- Small efforts combine to create a great result.
- Like collecting tiny fur scraps to make a royal coat.
- Perfect for discussing savings, habits, or collective teamwork.
What It Means
Imagine you want a fancy fur coat. Instead of using one big pelt, you collect the tiny bits of soft fur from the underarms of many foxes. Eventually, you have enough for a whole coat! 集腋成裘 is all about the power of accumulation. It tells us that no contribution is too small. If you keep adding little bits, you’ll end up with something magnificent. It’s the ultimate 'slow and steady' vibe for your goals.
How To Use It
You usually use this as a standalone idiom to encourage someone. You can say it when talking about saving money or learning a language. It often follows a description of a small action. For example, 'Save five dollars a day, and 集腋成裘, you’ll be rich!' It functions as a noun or a result in a sentence. It’s a great way to show you value persistence over quick wins.
When To Use It
Use it when you’re cheering on a friend who feels overwhelmed. It’s perfect for a graduation speech or a business meeting about small donations. If you’re texting a buddy about their daily gym habit, drop this in. It works beautifully in professional settings to discuss incremental growth. Use it when you want to sound wise and encouraging at the same time. It’s like a warm hug for someone’s long-term efforts.
When NOT To Use It
Don’t use it for things that happen all at once. If you win the lottery, that’s not 集腋成裘. It’s also not for negative things. You wouldn't usually say 'my debt is 集腋成裘' unless you're being very sarcastic. Avoid using it for physical piles of trash or messy rooms. It’s meant for positive, constructive growth. Also, don't use it if the 'small bits' are actually quite large.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' by Sima Qian. In ancient China, fox underarm fur was the softest and rarest part. It took many foxes to make a single high-quality coat for royalty. This made the coat incredibly valuable and symbolic of collective effort. It reflects a deep Chinese cultural value: patience and the 'long game.' It’s about respecting the process rather than just the result.
Common Variations
A very common sibling to this is 积少成多 (accumulate little to make much). While 积少成多 is more literal and common in daily speech, 集腋成裘 sounds more elegant. You might also hear 聚沙成塔 (gathering sand to build a pagoda). They all share the same 'small to big' DNA. Use 集腋成裘 when you want to sound a bit more literary or sophisticated.
Usage Notes
This is a literary idiom (Chengyu). It is mostly used in written Chinese or formal speeches, but using it in conversation adds a touch of sophistication and wisdom.
The 'Fox' Factor
If you want to sound extra poetic, remember the fox underarm fur story. It helps you visualize why this phrase is more 'premium' than just saying 'adding up'.
Don't over-casualize
While you can use it with friends, it sounds a bit 'bookish.' If you're just talking about a pile of laundry, stick to simple words or you'll sound like a professor.
The Power of One
In Chinese culture, this phrase is often taught to children to instill the value of 'frugality' (节俭). It's not just about getting rich; it's about not wasting small things.
Examples
6每天存一点钱，集腋成裘，年底就能去旅游了。
Save a little every day; small bits add up, and you can travel by year-end.
Classic use for financial habits.
感谢大家的捐款，集腋成裘，我们一定能帮助更多人。
Thanks for the donations; every little bit helps us reach our goal to help others.
Shows the power of collective small contributions.
每天五个单词，集腋成裘，你的汉语肯定会进步！
Five words a day adds up; your Chinese will definitely improve!
Encouraging persistence in learning.
我的桌子真是集腋成裘，全是小纸条。
My desk is a 'collection of scraps'; it's covered in sticky notes.
Slightly sarcastic use of a grand idiom for a small mess.
这些年的经验集腋成裘，成就了今天的我。
The experiences of these years accumulated to make me who I am today.
Using the phrase to reflect on a lifetime of work.
大家各抒己见，集腋成裘，我们的方案会更完美。
Everyone share your ideas; combined together, our plan will be perfect.
Focuses on the accumulation of ideas/wisdom.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to complete the encouragement.
虽然现在的进步很小，但只要坚持，就能___。
The sentence discusses small progress leading to a big result, which fits the meaning of 'collecting fur to make a coat'.
Which context is most appropriate for this phrase?
在___的时候，最适合说‘集腋成裘’。
The phrase emphasizes long-term accumulation, like saving money over time.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum
Using '积少成多' with family.
积少成多嘛。
Encouraging a coworker.
慢慢来，集腋成裘。
Speeches or written articles.
集腋成裘，终成大业。
When to use 集腋成裘
Saving Money
Piggy bank savings.
Learning
Daily vocab practice.
Teamwork
Small ideas building a project.
Charity
Small individual donations.
Practice Bank
2 exercises虽然现在的进步很小，但只要坚持，就能___。
The sentence discusses small progress leading to a big result, which fits the meaning of 'collecting fur to make a coat'.
在___的时候，最适合说‘集腋成裘’。
The phrase emphasizes long-term accumulation, like saving money over time.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While often used for savings, it applies to knowledge, strength, or even small acts of kindness. For example, 知识的积累也是集腋成裘 (The accumulation of knowledge is also a process of small bits adding up).
Technically no. It has a very positive, constructive connotation. For bad things, we usually use 积重难返 (bad habits becoming hard to break).
It is pronounced 'jí yè chéng qiú'. Pay attention to the second tone on the first three words and the second tone on the last word too!
They mean the same thing, but 积少成多 is much more common in daily conversation. 集腋成裘 is the 'upgraded' version you'd use in writing or a speech.
In ancient times, the fur under a fox's front legs was the whitest and softest. It was the most difficult to collect, making the resulting coat a symbol of extreme effort.
Yes, especially if you are encouraging someone. It shows you have a good command of Chinese and take their effort seriously.
Yes, it is a classic four-character idiom (Chengyu) with deep historical roots.
It implies the result is 'valuable' or 'significant,' much like the fur coat was a luxury item in ancient times.
Yes! It’s perfect for describing how a community's small efforts led to a big success, like 大家共同努力，集腋成裘.
A common mistake is forgetting the character 腋 (yè) or mispronouncing it as 'yì'. Also, don't use it for a single large event.
