# 事在人为

shì zài rén wéi

People's effort can shape the outcome

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The matter lies in human action

**Traditional Chinese:** 事在人為

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Encourage practical effort rather than passive waiting.

Effort matters, but does not guarantee every desired result.

## The image & its use

The expression directs attention toward what people can actually do. A difficult project may improve through planning, practice, cooperation, or another attempt. Saying this can encourage someone who has treated the outcome as fixed before trying. It is most useful when paired with a realistic next step. Conditions and available resources still matter, so encouragement should recognize limits rather than imply that every setback results from insufficient effort.

## Examples

事在人为，我们先把准备做好。

### Traditional Chinese

事在人為，我們先把準備做好。

shì zài rén wéi ， wǒ men xiān bǎ zhǔn bèi zuò hǎo 。

Our actions matter, so let us prepare carefully first.

只要方法合适，事在人为。

### Traditional Chinese

只要方法合適，事在人為。

zhǐ yào fāng fǎ hé shì ， shì zài rén wéi 。

With a suitable approach, effort can make a difference.

她相信事在人为，继续练习。

### Traditional Chinese

她相信事在人為，繼續練習。

tā xiāng xìn shì zài rén wéi ， jì xù liàn xí 。

She believed that effort could shape the result and kept practicing.

不要只等机会，事在人为。

### Traditional Chinese

不要只等機會，事在人為。

bú yào zhī děng jī huì ， shì zài rén wéi 。

Do not simply wait for an opportunity; take practical action.

## 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=1051&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%BA%8B%E5%9C%A8%E4%BA%BA%E7%82%BA)

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