# 厚积薄发

hòu jī bó fā

Build a strong foundation before producing results

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Accumulate richly and release sparingly

**Traditional Chinese:** 厚積薄發

**Register:** Positive · literary

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Use for a substantial period of preparation before achievement.

It emphasizes depth of preparation, not simply delaying action.

## Behind the words

Su Shi’s writing connects broad accumulation with restrained expression. The phrase values a deep reserve of preparation behind an achievement.

厚积 suggests substantial accumulation, while 薄发 suggests controlled or measured expression. The idiom values preparation before output, rather than performing prematurely. Modern usage often praises a visible achievement built on years of quiet groundwork. It does not simply mean doing little; the less visible learning and practice are essential to the image.

## Examples

这几年专心学习，是为了将来厚积薄发。

### Traditional Chinese

這幾年專心學習，是為了將來厚積薄發。

zhè jǐ nián zhuān xīn xué xí ， shì wèi le jiāng lái hòu jī bó fā 。

These years of focused study are building a foundation for future results.

她多年阅读和观察，终于厚积薄发，写出第一部长篇小说。

### Traditional Chinese

她多年閱讀和觀察，終於厚積薄發，寫出第一部長篇小說。

tā duō nián yuè dú hé guān chá ， zhōng yú hòu jī bó fā ， xiě chū dì yī bù zhǎng piān xiǎo shuō 。

Years of reading and observation prepared her to produce her first novel.

这项突破看似突然，其实是团队厚积薄发的结果。

### Traditional Chinese

這項突破看似突然，其實是團隊厚積薄發的結果。

zhè xiàng tū pò kàn sì tū rán ， qí shí shì tuán duì hòu jī bó fā de jié guǒ 。

The breakthrough seems sudden but grew from the team's deep preparation.

他不急着发表作品，愿意先厚积薄发。

### Traditional Chinese

他不急著發表作品，願意先厚積薄發。

tā bù jí zhe fā biǎo zuò pǐn ， yuàn yì xiān hòu jī bó fā 。

He is willing to build a strong foundation before releasing his work.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Wiktionary · usage cross-check](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%8E%9A%E7%A9%8D%E8%96%84%E7%99%BC)

- [Su Shi · 稼說（送張琥）](https://zh.wikisource.org/zh/%E7%A8%BC%E8%AA%AA%EF%BC%88%E9%80%81%E5%BC%B5%E7%90%A5%EF%BC%89)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%8E%9A%E7%A9%8D%E8%96%84%E7%99%BC)

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