Proverb / Kotowaza
雨垂れ石を穿つ
Even small efforts, when continued persistently over time, can achieve great success.
Raindrops bore through stone
Quick Answer
Even small efforts, when continued persistently over time, can achieve great success.
- Literal Image
- Raindrops bore through stone
- Closest Equivalent
- Constant dropping wears away the stone
- How to Use It
- Used to describe the power of consistency and long-term dedication, particularly when a difficult goal is achieved through small, repeated actions.
Meaning
Just as constant raindrops falling in the same spot can eventually bore a hole through solid stone, steady and patient effort will eventually yield results. It emphasizes that even small or weak forces can achieve difficult goals if they are applied consistently over a long period. This expression is used to praise perseverance or to encourage someone who feels their progress is slow.
Literal Image
Raindrops bore through stone
Equivalent Proverbs
Constant dropping wears away the stone
Uses the same core image of water wearing down stone through persistence.
How to Use It
Used to describe the power of consistency and long-term dedication, particularly when a difficult goal is achieved through small, repeated actions.
Tone
Encouraging and instructive, suitable for formal and neutral contexts.
Examples
毎日少しずつ練習を続けた結果、ついにコンクールで入賞した。雨垂れ石を穿つだ。
As a result of continuing to practice a little every day, I finally won a prize in the competition. It is truly a case of raindrops boring through stone.
雨垂れ石を穿つの精神で、一日一ページずつ論文を書き上げた。
With the spirit of 'raindrops boring through stone,' I finished writing my thesis one page at a time.
小さな改善の積み重ねが業績を押し上げた。雨垂れ石を穿つとはこのことだ。
The accumulation of small improvements pushed up our performance. This is exactly what is meant by 'raindrops boring through stone.'
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses the literary verb 'ugatsu' and a classical structure that is less in modern daily speech.
雨垂れ
あまだれ / amadare
raindrops; water dripping from eaves
石
いし / ishi
stone; rock
穿つ
うがつ / ugatsu
to bore; to drill; to pierce
Usage Profile
Usage note: While positive, it emphasizes the necessity of long-term effort; do not use it to suggest that things will happen quickly.
Misread Risk
Avoid reading it as a literal statement about weather; the focus is on the human quality of persistence leading to success.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.