1.
persistence pays off; continuity is strength; perseverance is power
A proverb meaning that continuing steadily at something, even in small amounts, will eventually lead to great results. Equivalent to "practice makes perfect" or "slow and steady wins the race."
継続は力なりと言うからね。
They say persistence pays off, after all.
継続は力なりを信じて、毎日少しずつ勉強している。
Believing that persistence pays off, I study a little bit every day.
三年間毎朝ジョギングを続けて、フルマラソンを完走できた。継続は力なりだ。
I kept jogging every morning for three years and was able to finish a full marathon. Persistence really is power.
One of the most well-known Japanese proverbs. なり is a classical copula (equivalent to modern である), giving the expression a timeless, proverbial tone. Literally: "continuation is strength."
USAGE:
Widely used as encouragement or as a motto. Very popular in educational settings, sports, and self-improvement contexts. Often quoted as a standalone phrase or with と言う (they say). Also commonly seen as calligraphy or on motivational posters.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 継続は力なりと言う — they say persistence is power
- 継続は力なりを信じて — believing that persistence pays off
- まさに継続は力なりだ — that's truly the power of persistence
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 石の上にも三年 — sit on a stone for three years (patience pays off)
- 塵も積もれば山となる — even dust piles up to make a mountain
- 千里の道も一歩から — a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step