百年树人

百年樹人

bǎinián-shùrén

idiom

Meanings

1 it takes a hundred years to grow a person
2 educating people is a long-term endeavor
3 nurturing talent takes generations

Characters

cultivate, plant

Examples

HSK 3

教育是百年树人的事业。

Jiàoyù shì bǎinián-shùrén de shìyè.

Education is the work of generations.

HSK 7-9

十年树木，百年树人。

Shínián-shùmù, bǎinián-shùrén.

It takes ten years to grow a tree, a hundred to cultivate a person.

HSK 7-9

百年树人，不可急于求成。

Bǎinián-shùrén, bùkě jíyú-qiúchéng.

Cultivating people takes a hundred years - you can't rush it.

Tips

history

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 - 'For one year, grow grain; for ten years, grow trees; for a lifetime, grow people.' Often cited in discussions of education policy.

Stroke Order

百 bǎi

年 nián

树 shù

人 rén