諺語 · a single proverb
磨刀不誤砍柴工
Simplified: 磨刀不误砍柴工
What does 磨刀不誤砍柴工 (mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng) mean?
磨刀不誤砍柴工 (mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "sharpening the blade does not delay the woodcutting work." In use it means: Taking time to prepare properly does not waste time; it saves more time than it spends. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rooster.
Literally: "sharpening the blade does not delay the woodcutting work."
The reading
The dull blade takes three times as long and leaves you tired and still not done. The sharp blade finishes before you expect it and leaves energy for what comes next. Preparation is not delay-it is the first move of the work itself.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Chinese folk proverb 民間諺語; Mao Zedong used this phrase in 1943
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wealth, Work & Diligence, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 磨刀不誤砍柴工 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 磨刀不誤砍柴工 (mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Chinese folk proverb 民間諺語; Mao Zedong used this phrase in 1943. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 磨刀不誤砍柴工?
In Mandarin it is mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 磨刀不誤砍柴工 aloud in Mandarin.