# 一日千里

yī rì qiān lǐ

Make exceptionally rapid progress

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Travel a thousand li in a day

**Register:** Enthusiastic · general

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

## When to use it

Praise fast development or improvement.

It is figurative, not a measurable rate.

## Understanding the expression

A journey of a thousand li within one day suggests speed far beyond normal expectation. Modern use borrows that scale to describe progress in learning, technology, business, or ability. The phrase emphasizes rapid improvement over time, rather than one isolated success. It often sounds enthusiastic and may exaggerate. Check the actual quality and durability of progress separately, because moving quickly does not guarantee that every result is sound.

## Examples

她开始每天练习后，口语一日千里。

### Traditional Chinese

她開始每天練習後，口語一日千里。

tā kāi shǐ měi tiān liàn xí hòu ， kǒu yǔ yī rì qiān lǐ 。

Her speaking improved rapidly once she practiced daily.

这几年通信技术一日千里。

### Traditional Chinese

這幾年通信技術一日千里。

zhè jǐ nián tōng xìn jì shù yī rì qiān lǐ 。

Communications technology has advanced rapidly in recent years.

得到指导后，他的画技一日千里。

### Traditional Chinese

得到指導後，他的畫技一日千里。

dé dào zhǐ dǎo hòu ， tā de huà jì yī rì qiān lǐ 。

His painting improved rapidly after he received guidance.

小镇的交通建设一日千里。

### Traditional Chinese

小鎮的交通建設一日千里。

xiǎo zhèn de jiāo tōng jiàn shè yī rì qiān lǐ 。

Transport development in the town is progressing rapidly.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E6%97%A5%E5%8D%83%E9%87%8C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=67&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [永垂不朽 yǒng chuí bù xiǔ Be remembered with lasting honor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yong-chui-bu-xiu)

- [雨后春笋 yǔ hòu chūn sǔn Many new things emerge rapidly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-hou-chun-sun)

- [与时俱进 yǔ shí jù jìn Keep pace with the times ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-shi-ju-jin)

- [蒸蒸日上 zhēng zhēng rì shàng Grow more prosperous or successful each day ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zheng-zheng-ri-shang)

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