萬事開頭難

Simplified: 万事开头难

wànshìkāitóunán ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄎㄞ ㄊㄡˊ ㄋㄢˊ

    • every beginning is difficult (idiom)
    • getting started is always the hardest part

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Proverb谚语諺語 · In everyday use

Literally
in all things, the beginning is hard
Meaning
The start is the hardest part of anything. Said to console or encourage. Compare "the first step is the hardest".

Sources