Phrase in 30 Seconds
This proverb means that even the coldest stone will eventually warm up if you sit on it for three years, symbolizing persistence.
- Means: Patience and perseverance will eventually lead to success or reward.
- Used in: Encouraging someone struggling, or reflecting on long-term career goals.
- Don't confuse: It is not about waiting for luck, but about enduring hardship.
适合你水平的解释：
意思
Even a cold stone will warm up if you sit on it for three years. Persistence pays off.
文化背景
Reflects the traditional apprenticeship model where three years was the standard term for learning a trade. Similar concepts of 'gaman' or 'patience' exist in Korea and China, emphasizing the moral weight of endurance.
Use it for encouragement
It's a very kind thing to say to someone who is struggling.
Use it for encouragement
It's a very kind thing to say to someone who is struggling.
自我测试
Which particle is missing?
{石|いし}の{上|うえ} [?] {三年|さんねん}
The particle 'mo' adds the nuance of 'even on'.
🎉 得分： /1
视觉学习工具
练习题库
2 练习{石|いし}の{上|うえ} [?] {三年|さんねん}
The particle 'mo' adds the nuance of 'even on'.
🎉 得分： /2
常见问题
1 个问题No, it's a metaphor for long-term commitment.
相关表达
{継続|けいぞく}は{力|ちから}なり
synonymContinuity is power.
在哪里用
Encouraging a colleague
A: {仕事|しごと}が{難|むずか}しくて{辞|や}めたいです。
B: {石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}だよ。もう少し{頑張|がんば}ろう。
Reflecting on a hobby
A: ギターが{全|まった}く{上手|じょうず}にならない。
B: {石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}って{言|い}うし、{続|つづ}けたら{必|かなら}ず{弾|ひ}けるようになるよ。
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of a cold stone bench. If you sit on it for 3 years, your butt warms it up!
视觉联想
Imagine a person sitting on a frozen rock in winter, slowly turning it into a warm seat through sheer patience.
Rhyme
Three years on a stone, success will be shown.
Story
Kenji started a job he hated. He wanted to quit after a week. His mentor said, 'Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen.' Kenji stayed. By year three, he was the best in the office.
In Other Languages
English: 'Rome wasn't built in a day.' Spanish: 'La paciencia es la madre de la ciencia.'
Word Web
挑战
Write down one goal you have. Commit to working on it for 10 minutes every day for a week using the mindset of this proverb.
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month.
发音
Ensure the 'n' in 'san-nen' is held for a full beat.
正式程度
{石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}と{申|もう}します。 (General advice)
{石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}です。 (General advice)
{石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}だよ。 (General advice)
N/A (General advice)
The phrase comes from the Edo period, reflecting the rigorous training of craftsmen and samurai. It emphasizes that even the most uncomfortable situation becomes bearable with time.
趣味小知识
The 'three years' is not literal; it represents a 'long time' in traditional Japanese culture.
文化笔记
Reflects the traditional apprenticeship model where three years was the standard term for learning a trade.
“A sushi chef apprentice spends years just learning to cook rice.”
Similar concepts of 'gaman' or 'patience' exist in Korea and China, emphasizing the moral weight of endurance.
“In Korea, the concept of 'In-nae' is highly valued.”
对话开场白
What is something you have been working on for a long time?
常见错误
{石|いし}の{上|うえ}に{三年|さんねん}。
{石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}。
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
La paciencia es la madre de la ciencia.
Japanese focuses on the duration of time; Spanish focuses on the virtue of patience.
Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.
French uses a nature metaphor; Japanese uses a physical endurance metaphor.
Gut Ding will Weile haben.
German is a general statement; Japanese specifies a duration (three years).
{継続|けいぞく}は{力|ちから}なり
This phrase is more about the act of continuing; the stone proverb is about enduring hardship.
من صبر ظفر
Arabic is a concise moral statement; Japanese is a metaphorical proverb.
Spotted in the Real World
“{石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三年|さんねん}だよ。”
A senior employee advising a new recruit.
容易混淆
Both involve waiting.
This phrase is about waiting for luck/good timing; the stone phrase is about working hard.
常见问题 (1)
No, it's a metaphor for long-term commitment.
basic understanding
