| |
| 有始有终 [2025/08/08 02:13] – created xiaoer | 有始有终 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| ====== yǒushǐyǒuzhōng: 有始有终 - To Finish What One Starts; To See Things Through ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** yǒushǐyǒuzhōng, 有始有终, finish what you start Chinese, see things through Chinese, Chinese idiom for persistence, Chinese proverbs, perseverance in Chinese, reliability, responsibility, Chinese chengyu. | |
| * **Summary:** **有始有终 (yǒushǐyǒuzhōng)** is a fundamental Chinese idiom (chengyu) that praises the virtue of seeing things through from beginning to end. More than just completing a task, it describes a person's reliable and responsible character. Learning this phrase is key to understanding the cultural value placed on persistence, dependability, and finishing what you start, a concept deeply respected in both personal and professional life in China. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Idiom (Chengyu); can function as a predicative adjective. | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 / Advanced | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To carry something through from start to finish; to be responsible and see things through. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** `有始有终` is a high compliment that describes a person's character. It means they don't just start things with enthusiasm; they have the discipline and sense of responsibility to complete them properly. It implies trustworthiness, reliability, and perseverance. A person who is `有始有终` is someone you can count on. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **有 (yǒu):** To have; there is; to exist. | |
| * **始 (shǐ):** Beginning; to start. | |
| * **有 (yǒu):** To have; there is; to exist. | |
| * **终 (zhōng):** End; finish; conclusion. | |
| The structure is beautifully simple and literal: "to have a start, to have an end." This parallel structure emphasizes the completeness of the cycle. The repetition of **有 (yǒu)** highlights that both the beginning and the end are present and accounted for, leaving nothing undone. It paints a picture of a full circle, a task brought to a proper conclusion. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| * **A Core Virtue:** In Chinese culture, `有始有终` is not just a good work habit; it's a reflection of a person's moral character. It is closely linked to **责任感 (zérèngǎn)**, a sense of responsibility. Someone who consistently fails to be `有始有终` might be seen as flaky, immature, or untrustworthy, not just in their work, but in their relationships and social obligations. | |
| * **Comparison to Western "Grit" or "Finishing What You Start":** While the English phrase "to finish what you start" is a direct translation, the cultural weight is different. In the West, this concept is often tied to individualistic values like personal achievement, ambition, and "grit." It's about self-discipline for one's own goals. | |
| In contrast, `有始有终` is more deeply embedded in a collectivist context. Being `有始有终` is also about fulfilling your duty to your family, your company, or your team. When a manager entrusts you with a project, completing it is a matter of upholding their trust and maintaining group harmony. Your reliability contributes to the smooth functioning of the collective. Failing to do so isn't just a personal failure; it's letting the group down. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| `有始有终` is a formal idiom but is widely understood and used in various contexts. It's almost always used as a compliment or a standard to strive for. | |
| * **In the Workplace:** This is one of the highest praises for an employee or a business partner. It signifies that they are dependable and will deliver on their promises. | |
| * `他这个人做事向来有始有终，项目交给他我放心。` (He is always someone who sees things through, I feel at ease giving him the project.) | |
| * **In Personal Development and Education:** Parents and teachers often use this phrase to instill a sense of discipline and responsibility in children. It's a life lesson taught from a young age. | |
| * `妈妈告诉我，不管做什么事，都要有始有终。` (My mom told me that no matter what I do, I must always finish what I start.) | |
| * **In Relationships:** While less common, it can be used to describe a committed and responsible partner who doesn't give up on the relationship easily. It can also refer to someone who ends a relationship clearly and respectfully, rather than "ghosting"—they provide a proper "end" to the "beginning." | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 他是一个**有始有终**的人，答应你的事一定会做到。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng** de rén, dāyìng nǐ de shì yídìng huì zuòdào. | |
| * English: He is a person who always finishes what he starts; he will definitely do what he promised you. | |
| * Analysis: This is a classic example of using `有始有终` to describe someone's reliable character. It's a strong endorsement. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 做学问需要**有始有终**的精神，不能半途而废。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zuò xuéwèn xūyào **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng** de jīngshén, bù néng bàntú'érfèi. | |
| * English: Scholarship requires the spirit of seeing things through; you can't give up halfway. | |
| * Analysis: Here, `有始有终` is used to describe a "spirit" or "mentality" (`精神 jīngshén`). It's paired with its antonym, `半途而废 (bàntú'érfèi)`, for emphasis. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 这个项目虽然困难重重，但我们的团队还是坚持做到了**有始有终**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù suīrán kùnnan chóngchóng, dàn wǒmen de tuánduì háishì jiānchí zuòdào le **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**. | |
| * English: Although this project was fraught with difficulties, our team persisted and saw it through to the end. | |
| * Analysis: `做到 (zuòdào)` means "to achieve" or "to accomplish." `做到有始有终` means to successfully embody the principle of finishing what was started. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 领导表扬了小王，说他做事认真负责，**有始有终**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Lǐngdǎo biǎoyáng le Xiǎo Wáng, shuō tā zuòshì rènzhēn fùzé, **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**. | |
| * English: The leader praised Xiao Wang, saying he is serious, responsible, and always sees his tasks through. | |
| * Analysis: This is a typical sentence you might hear in a Chinese workplace. `有始有终` is often paired with other positive work-related attributes like `认真 (rènzhēn)` - conscientious and `负责 (fùzé)` - responsible. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 我希望我的孩子能养成**有始有终**的好习惯。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng wǒ de háizi néng yǎngchéng **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng** de hǎo xíguàn. | |
| * English: I hope my child can develop the good habit of finishing what they start. | |
| * Analysis: This shows its use as a core value to be instilled. `养成...的习惯 (yǎngchéng...de xíguàn)` means "to cultivate the habit of...". | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 谈恋爱也要**有始有终**，即使分手也要说清楚，这是对对方的尊重。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tán liàn'ài yě yào **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**, jíshǐ fēnshǒu yě yào shuō qīngchu, zhè shì duì duìfāng de zūnzhòng. | |
| * English: Relationships should also be seen through from start to finish; even if you break up, you should make it clear. This is a form of respect for the other person. | |
| * Analysis: A great example of the concept's application beyond work. It's about providing closure and acting responsibly even at the end of something. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 我们必须把这个改革**有始有终**地进行下去。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū bǎ zhège gǎigé **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng** de jìnxíng xiàqù. | |
| * English: We must carry this reform through from beginning to end. | |
| * Analysis: The adverbial form `有始有终地` modifies the verb `进行 (jìnxíng)` - to carry out. It describes *how* the action should be performed. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 他做事总是虎头蛇尾，一点也不**有始有终**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā zuòshì zǒngshì hǔtóushéwěi, yìdiǎn yě bù **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**. | |
| * English: He always starts things with a bang but they fizzle out; he never sees things through. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses the negative form `不有始有终` and the antonym `虎头蛇尾 (hǔtóushéwěi - tiger head, snake tail)` to create a powerful contrast. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 要做到**有始有终**，关键在于强大的执行力。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yào zuòdào **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**, guānjiàn zàiyú qiángdà de zhíxínglì. | |
| * English: To be able to finish what you start, the key lies in strong execution ability. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence connects the concept to another important business concept, `执行力 (zhíxínglì)` - execution ability. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 无论结果如何，我们至少做到了**有始有终**，没有留下遗憾。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wúlùn jiéguǒ rúhé, wǒmen zhìshǎo zuòdào le **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng**, méiyǒu liúxià yíhàn. | |
| * English: Regardless of the outcome, at least we saw it through to the end and left no regrets. | |
| * Analysis: This highlights that `有始有终` is about the process and commitment, which has value in itself, separate from the final success or failure of the endeavor. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **Not for Trivial Tasks:** It's a mistake to use `有始有终` for small, everyday actions. You wouldn't say "我**有始有终**地刷了牙" (I brushed my teeth from start to finish). This sounds bizarre. The idiom is reserved for significant tasks, projects, commitments, or as a general description of a person's character. | |
| * **Character Trait vs. Single Action:** A common pitfall is to confuse it with simply "finishing something." | |
| * **Correct:** 他完成了那个任务。 (Tā wánchéng le nàge rènwù.) - He completed that task. (Describes one action). | |
| * **Correct:** 他是一个**有始有终**的人。 (Tā shì yí ge **yǒushǐyǒuzhōng** de rén.) - He is a person who sees things through. (Describes his character). | |
| * While you can say `他有始有终地完成了任务` (He completed the task in a responsible, see-it-through manner), the most common usage of `有始有终` is to describe a person's nature or a praiseworthy accomplishment. | |
| * **Don't Confuse with "From Beginning to End":** In English, we might say "I read the book from beginning to end." The direct translation `我从始至终读了这本书` (wǒ cóngshǐzhìzhōng dúle zhè běn shū) is better. Using `有始有终` here would imply that reading the book was a major, challenging undertaking that tested your character. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[虎头蛇尾]] (hǔ tóu shé wěi) - (Antonym) "Tiger head, snake tail." The direct opposite of `有始有终`. Describes starting a task with great energy and enthusiasm but failing to see it through, ending weakly. | |
| * [[半途而废]] (bàn tú ér fèi) - (Antonym) "To give up halfway." Describes the act of abandoning a task or effort before it is complete. | |
| * [[善始善终]] (shàn shǐ shàn zhōng) - (Synonym) "Start well, end well." A close synonym that places an even stronger emphasis on the *quality* of both the beginning and the end. It's not just about finishing, but about finishing *well*. | |
| * [[坚持不懈]] (jiān chí bù xiè) - (Related Concept) "To persevere unremittingly." This term focuses on the continuous effort and persistence *during* the process, while `有始有终` focuses on the completion of the entire cycle. | |
| * [[贯彻始终]] (guàn chè shǐ zhōng) - (Related Concept) "To carry through from beginning to end." More formal and often used for abstract things like policies, principles, or a spirit. E.g., "to carry the spirit of reform through to the end." | |
| * [[责任感]] (zé rèn gǎn) - (Related Value) "A sense of responsibility." This is the underlying personal quality that drives a person to be `有始有终`. | |