事半功倍

shìbàn-gōngbèi

idiom #33,943

Meanings

1 half the effort, double the result
2 to achieve much with little work

Characters

effect; achievement

Examples

HSK 3

早起学习常常事半功倍。

Zǎoqǐ xuéxí chángcháng shìbàn-gōngbèi.

Studying early in the morning often doubles the payoff for half the work.

HSK 5

掌握方法可以事半功倍。

Zhǎngwò fāngfǎ kěyǐ shìbàn-gōngbèi.

Mastering the method gets twice the result with half the work.

HSK 5

用对工具会事半功倍。

Yòng duì gōngjù huì shìbàn-gōngbèi.

Using the right tool yields twice the result for half the effort.

Tips

history

From 《孟子·公孙丑上》: 'doing half what the ancients did, the effect is bound to be double' - Mencius's take on why acting at the right moment multiplies results.

mistakes

Opposite of 事倍功半 ('double effort, half result'). Students often swap them - the lucky one is 事半 (less work) 功倍 (more result).

Stroke Order

事 shì

半 bàn

功 gōng

倍 bèi