# 再接再厉

zài jiē zài lì

Keep making renewed efforts

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Engage again and sharpen again

**Traditional Chinese:** 再接再厲

**Register:** Encouraging · general

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

## When to use it

Encourage continued work after progress or setback.

Effort should include learning and recovery.

## Understanding the expression

The expression combines renewed engagement with making the effort sharper. Modern use encourages someone to continue after a success, a near miss, or an unfinished goal. It often appears in supportive messages and team discussions. The encouragement is forward looking rather than a dismissal of what was achieved. Taking a rest or improving a method can be part of continuing effectively, because persistence benefits from preparation as well as repeated action.

## Examples

这次进步很大，继续再接再厉。

### Traditional Chinese

這次進步很大，繼續再接再厲。

zhè cì jìn bù hěn dà ， jì xù zài jiē zài lì 。

You improved greatly; keep up the effort.

球队再接再厉，争取下一场胜利。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊再接再厲，爭取下一場勝利。

qiú duì zài jiē zài lì ， zhēng qǔ xià yì chǎng shèng lì 。

The team will keep working for the next win.

她决定再接再厉，完善作品。

### Traditional Chinese

她決定再接再厲，完善作品。

tā jué dìng zài jiē zài lì ， wán shàn zuò pǐn 。

She decided to keep improving the work.

第一阶段完成后，我们再接再厉。

### Traditional Chinese

第一階段完成後，我們再接再厲。

dì yī jiē duàn wán chéng hòu ， wǒ men zài jiē zài lì 。

After the first stage, we continued our efforts.

## 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=%E5%86%8D%E6%8E%A5%E5%86%8D%E5%8E%B2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=241&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [栉风沐雨 zhì fēng mù yǔ Work outdoors through harsh weather ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-feng-mu-yu)

- [专心致志 zhuān xīn zhì zhì Concentrate wholeheartedly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhuan-xin-zhi-zhi)

- [自暴自弃 zì bào zì qì Give up on oneself and stop trying ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-bao-zi-qi)

- [自强不息 zì qiáng bù xī Keep improving oneself with sustained effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-qiang-bu-xi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 运筹帷幄 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yun-chou-wei-wo) [Next idiom 责无旁贷 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ze-wu-pang-dai)