# 十全十美

shí quán shí měi

Complete and without apparent shortcomings

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Ten complete and ten beautiful

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe an ideal result or unusually thorough work.

Often an ideal or exaggeration, rather than a measurable standard.

## The image & its use

The repeated ten gives a sense of full completion, while beauty adds a favorable judgment. Together they describe a result with nothing important missing and no obvious fault. People often use the phrase when discussing an ideal plan, a polished performance, or expectations that are difficult to meet. It can also remind someone that useful work need not be perfect. Explain the standard being applied, since different people may value different qualities.

## Examples

这个方案并非十全十美，但很实用。

### Traditional Chinese

這個方案並非十全十美，但很實用。

zhè ge fāng àn bìng fēi shí quán shí měi ， dàn hěn shí yòng 。

The plan is not perfect, but it is practical.

她希望作品十全十美。

tā xī wàng zuò pǐn shí quán shí měi 。

She hopes the work will be flawless.

不要要求每次练习都十全十美。

### Traditional Chinese

不要要求每次練習都十全十美。

bú yào yāo qiú měi cì liàn xí dōu shí quán shí měi 。

Do not expect every practice attempt to be perfect.

我们继续改进，而不空想十全十美。

### Traditional Chinese

我們繼續改進，而不空想十全十美。

wǒ men jì xù gǎi jìn ， ér bù kōng xiǎng shí quán shí měi 。

We keep improving instead of merely imagining perfection.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1073&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%8D%81%E5%85%A8%E5%8D%81%E7%BE%8E)

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