Closest Chinese expression失败是成功之母
Pinyinshī bài shì chéng gōng zhī mǔ
Quick answer
The closest answer is 失败是成功之母: Failure can provide the experience needed for later success.
Literal translation
Failure is the mother of success.
Are they completely equivalent?
吃一堑，长一智 is a useful alternative when you want to emphasize the lesson learned rather than eventual success.
When to use the Chinese saying
Use it when a failed attempt has produced knowledge that can improve the next attempt.
Other related Chinese expressions
A single English saying can point to different Chinese expressions depending on whether the speaker wants to emphasize action, patience, warning, hope, or social tone.
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