# 韦编三绝

wéi biān sān jué

Study a text repeatedly and diligently

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The leather binding is worn through three times

**Traditional Chinese:** 韋編三絕

**Register:** Literary · formal

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

## When to use it

Praise close, repeated reading and serious study.

A literary image of worn binding; it does not recommend damaging books.

## The image & its use

Older bound texts used materials that could wear with repeated handling. This expression turns that wear into an image of sustained study: a book has been opened and revisited so often that its binding needs attention. In modern use, it praises diligent reading rather than prescribing a literal number of readings. Returning to a text can reveal connections missed the first time. Care for the book, vary the questions you ask, and distinguish thoughtful rereading from repeating pages without understanding them.

## Examples

他研究这部经典，颇有韦编三绝的精神。

### Traditional Chinese

他研究這部經典，頗有韋編三絕的精神。

tā yán jiū zhè bù jīng diǎn ， pō yǒu wéi biān sān jué de jīng shén 。

His study of the classic shows a spirit of diligent, repeated reading.

老师用韦编三绝鼓励我们认真读懂原文。

### Traditional Chinese

老師用韋編三絕鼓勵我們認真讀懂原文。

lǎo shī yòng wéi biān sān jué gǔ lì wǒ men rèn zhēn dú dǒng yuán wén 。

The teacher used the image of repeated study to encourage close reading.

她多年反复研读，可称韦编三绝。

### Traditional Chinese

她多年反覆研讀，可稱韋編三絕。

tā duō nián fǎn fù yán dú ， kě chēng wéi biān sān jué 。

Her years of careful rereading can be described as deeply diligent study.

韦编三绝重在用心，不在机械地重复。

### Traditional Chinese

韋編三絕重在用心，不在機械地重複。

wéi biān sān jué zhòng zài yòng xīn ， bú zài jī xiè dì chóng fù 。

Diligent rereading depends on attention rather than mechanical repetition.

## 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=1325&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%9F%8B%E7%B7%A8%E4%B8%89%E7%B5%95)

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