# 水到渠成

shuǐ dào qú chéng

Success follows when conditions are ready

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A channel forms where water arrives

**Register:** Reassuring · general

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe a natural result of adequate preparation.

Does not mean waiting without effort.

## Understanding the expression

Water can create a channel once enough flow reaches the right place. The expression compares success to that natural result: preparation and conditions come together, so the final step no longer needs forcing. It suits learning, cooperation, and projects developed patiently. The earlier work still matters. The phrase encourages building the conditions for success rather than expecting a good outcome to appear without any action.

## Examples

基础打好了，突破就水到渠成。

### Traditional Chinese

基礎打好了，突破就水到渠成。

jī chǔ dǎ hǎo le ， tū pò jiù shuǐ dào qú chéng 。

With a firm foundation, the breakthrough followed naturally.

双方熟悉后，合作水到渠成。

### Traditional Chinese

雙方熟悉後，合作水到渠成。

shuāng fāng shú xī hòu ， hé zuò shuǐ dào qú chéng 。

Once the two sides knew each other, cooperation came naturally.

练习够了，考试通过水到渠成。

### Traditional Chinese

練習夠了，考試通過水到渠成。

liàn xí gòu le ， kǎo shì tōng guò shuǐ dào qú chéng 。

With enough practice, passing the exam came naturally.

条件成熟，项目落地水到渠成。

### Traditional Chinese

條件成熟，項目落地水到渠成。

tiáo jiàn chéng shú ， xiàng mù luò dì shuǐ dào qú chéng 。

Once conditions were ready, the project came together.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%B0%B4%E5%88%B0%E6%B8%A0%E6%88%90)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=151&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [顺其自然 shùn qí zì rán Let things follow their natural course ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shun-qi-zi-ran)

- [四海为家 sì hǎi wéi jiā Make one's home wherever one goes ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/si-hai-wei-jia)

- [死灰复燃 sǐ huī fù rán An unwelcome problem revives ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/si-hui-fu-ran)

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