行百里者半九十
Traditional form:
行百里者半九十
Pinyin (reading):
xíngbǎilǐzhěbànjiǔshí
Definitions:
- lit. ninety li is merely a half of a hundred li journey (idiom)
- fig. the closer one is to completing a task, the tougher it gets
- a task is not done until it's done
Characters:
- 行 - to go, to walk, to move; professional
- 百 - one hundred; numerous, many
- 里 - unit of distance equal to 0.5km; village; lane
- 者 - that which; they who; those who
- 半 - half; semi-, incomplete
- 九 - nine
- 十 - ten, tenth; complete; perfect
Traditional characters: