Chinese characters and pinyin
Simplified: 千里之行，始于足下
Traditional: 千里之行，始於足下
Pinyin: qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià
Literal translation
A journey of a thousand li begins beneath one’s feet.
Natural English meaning
Every large achievement starts with one practical first step.
Closest English equivalent
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
The English form is a direct and widely used rendering of the Chinese idea.
When to use it
Use it to encourage someone who feels overwhelmed by the scale of a goal.
When not to use it
Avoid presenting it as a literal rule; the force of the saying depends on context and tone.
Example sentence
别被整个项目吓倒，千里之行，始于足下。
Do not be intimidated by the whole project—a long journey begins with the first step.
Origin and cultural context
The idea is traditionally associated with Chapter 64 of the Dao De Jing.
Classification: classical quotation. This label distinguishes a complete proverb or popular saying from a compact idiom or a quotation preserved from a classical text.
