# 脚踏实地

jiǎo tà shí dì

Work in a grounded, practical way

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Feet firmly on the ground

**Traditional Chinese:** 腳踏實地

**Register:** Positive · conversational

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

## When to use it

Use to praise realistic, dependable effort.

It concerns an approach to work, not a lack of ambition.

## Behind the words

The image of firm footing gives abstract reliability a physical form. Traditional uses connect it with a solid, realistic approach.

Having one's feet on solid ground suggests steadiness and contact with reality. The expression praises reliable work, realistic action, and attention to what can actually be done. It need not imply small ambitions. Large goals can be pursued 脚踏实地 when the steps are concrete and supported by honest effort.

## Examples

目标可以远大，做事还是要脚踏实地。

### Traditional Chinese

目標可以遠大，做事還是要腳踏實地。

mù biāo kě yǐ yuǎn dà ， zuò shì hái shì yào jiǎo tà shí dì 。

Your goals can be ambitious, but your work should stay grounded and practical.

刚开始创业，先脚踏实地做好每一个订单。

### Traditional Chinese

剛開始創業，先腳踏實地做好每一個訂單。

gāng kāi shǐ chuàng yè ， xiān jiǎo tà shí dì zuò hǎo měi yí gè dìng dān 。

When starting a business, handle each order carefully and practically.

她脚踏实地地积累经验，没有急着追求头衔。

### Traditional Chinese

她腳踏實地地積累經驗，沒有急著追求頭銜。

tā jiǎo tà shí dì dì jī lěi jīng yàn ， méi yǒu jí zhe zhuī qiú tóu xián 。

She steadily built practical experience instead of chasing titles.

计划再漂亮，也要脚踏实地地执行。

### Traditional Chinese

計劃再漂亮，也要腳踏實地地執行。

jì huà zài piào liang ， yě yào jiǎo tà shí dì dì zhí xíng 。

Even a fine plan needs grounded, practical execution.

## Sources & reference checks

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

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=377&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%85%B3%E8%B8%8F%E5%AF%A6%E5%9C%B0)

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