敲门砖(qiāoménzhuān) the “knocking brick”; a stepping-stone to success

Usage:

“敲门砖”原意是指用来谋求名利的工具，一旦达到目的，这个工具就会被抛弃。后来多用于为达到目的的基本手段。
The original meaning of “敲门砖” was a tool used by someone to seek fame and wealth. When it had served someone’s purpose, it was thrown away. Later, it was used to describe the basic means of achieving one’s goal.

Sentences:

1、Jiànkāng de shēntǐ shì huòdé xìng fú shēnghuó de qiāoménzhuān.
健康的身体是获得幸福生活的敲门砖。
Health is the knocking brick to a happy life.

2、Zhīshi shì rénlèi tōngwǎng zhìhuì shìjiè de qiāoménzhuān.
知识是人类通往智慧世界的敲门砖。
Knowledge is the knocking brick to bring humans to a world of wisdom.

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