Chinese edit

work half achievement double
simp. and trad.
(事半功倍)

Etymology edit

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑上》):

當今萬乘仁政倒懸事半此時 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
当今万乘仁政倒悬事半此时 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Dāngjīn zhī shí, wànshèng zhī guó xíng rénzhèng, mín zhī yuè zhī, yóu jiě dàoxuán yě. Gù shì bàn gǔ zhī rén, gōngbèi zhī, wéi cǐshí wéi rán. [Pinyin]
At the present time, in a country of ten thousand chariots, let benevolent government be put in practice, and the people will be delighted with it, as if they were relieved from hanging by the heels. With half the merit of the ancients, double their achievements is sure to be realized. It is only at this time that such could be the case.

Pronunciation edit


Idiom edit

事半功倍

  1. to yield twice the result with half the effort

Antonyms edit