Chinese Idiom Stories: 鍥而不捨 (Qiè ér bù shě)

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Idiom: 鍥而不捨 (Qiè ér bù shě)

Literal Meaning: Always carving, never stopping.
Explanation: 鍥而不捨 (qiè ér bù shě) represents the spirit of persistence and dedication. This idiom conveys the idea of never giving up, even in the face of obstacles, and maintaining a determined approach until a goal is achieved.

Chinese Idiom Stories

The idiom “鍥而不捨” originates from an ancient story illustrating perseverance.

A famous Chinese philosopher once observed that if a person carves wood without stopping, they can eventually create a masterpiece, no matter how challenging. “鍥” means to carve, and “不捨” means not to let go.

Together, they signify working with dedication and not abandoning the task. In traditional Chinese culture, this idiom encourages people to keep pushing toward their goals, no matter how difficult they may seem.

This spirit of “carving away without stopping” is often linked to success achieved through hard work and determination.

Idiom Example Sentences

她在學習上鍥而不捨，終於考上了心儀的大學。
- Tā zài xuéxí shàng qiè ér bù shě, zhōngyú kǎo shàngle xīnyí de dàxué.
- She persevered in her studies and finally got into her dream university.
如果你鍥而不捨，任何困難都能克服。
- Rúguǒ nǐ qiè ér bù shě, rènhé kùnnán dōu néng kèfú.
- If you persevere, you can overcome any obstacle.

Practice Exercise

你曾經在生活中遇到什麼困難，但靠「鍥而不捨」的精神解決了嗎？
- Nǐ céngjīng zài shēnghuó zhōng yù dào shénme kùnnán, dàn kào “qiè ér bù shě” de jīngshén jiějué le ma?
- Have you ever faced a challenge in life that you solved by persevering?
  - Answer: Responses will vary based on personal experiences.