十年树木

十年樹木

shínián-shùmù

idiom

Meanings

HSK 7-9

十年树木，百年树人，教育不能急于求成。

Shínián-shùmù, bǎinián-shùrén, jiàoyù bùnéng jíyúqiúchéng.

It takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred to grow a person - education can't be rushed.

HSK 7-9

他常引用十年树木这句话勉励年轻老师。

Tā cháng yǐnyòng shínián-shùmù zhè jù huà miǎnlì niánqīng lǎoshī.

He often quotes 'ten years to grow a tree' to encourage young teachers.

history

Shortened from 《管子·权修》: 一年之计，莫如树谷；十年之计，莫如树木；终身之计，莫如树人. Almost always paired with 百年树人.

usage

Typically invoked to argue for patience in education, long-term planning, or cultivating talent.

十 shí

年 nián

树 shù

木 mù