"One Day of Sun, Ten Days of Frost" literally means exposing something to the sun for one day and freezing it for ten. It originates from Mencius, Book of Gaozi, Part I: "Even if there were a plant under heaven that grows most easily, if you expose it to the sun for one day and freeze it for ten, nothing could make it grow." Mencius used plant growth as a metaphor to explain that even the easiest plant to grow cannot survive if it is sunned for one day and frozen for ten. Its deeper meaning is to criticize a lack of perseverance in doing things—being diligent at times and lazy at others, with little effort and much slackness—making final success difficult. It is mostly used in scenarios of encouraging learning, offering encouragement, or criticizing others for lacking persistence, and can also be used for self-reflection. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian esteem for perseverance and single-minded dedication, and forms a contrast with "carving without stopping" and "persevering without giving up." Its emotional coloring is somewhat derogatory, carrying a sense of regret, criticism, or warning, and emphasizing the importance of persistence.
📝 Example
1. Learning a foreign language requires daily persistence. If one studies by fits and starts—working hard one day and slacking off for ten—it is very difficult to make progress. (一曝十寒: a Chinese idiom meaning to work hard for one day and then leave it aside for ten; figuratively, to lack perseverance and alternate between diligence and idleness.)
2. He always approaches fitness by fits and starts. When the mood strikes, he works out for an entire day, and then does nothing for weeks afterward, so the results are naturally not obvious. (一曝十寒: a Chinese idiom meaning to put in little effort and slack off a lot; unable to persevere.)