Chinese Chengyu (成语, Chéngyǔ) plays an important role in Chinese culture. They are the collected wisdom from ancient Chinese people; and they contain deep insights into human life. Behind the four-character Chengyu, there are always definitions, stories, and also rich philosophical concepts. Of course, there are many Chengyu describing life and success, and many of them originated from ancient Chinese philosophers or famous literati.
1 废寝忘食 (Fèi qǐn wàng shí)
Meaning:
Literally, 废(fail)寝(sleep)忘(forget)食(eat) means “fail to sleep and forget to eat.” It describes people who are so hard-working that they don’t sleep or eat properly. Generally, it’s seen as a positive idiom, used to praise people who are diligent.
Origin:
The idiom originated from the famous Chinese educator and philosopher Confucius. Confucius taught many students, many of whom also became famous later on. This Chengyu, “废寝忘食”, is a famous Confucius’ saying. Tsze Lu (子路), one of Confucius’ students, told his teacher that someone, who had heard of Confucius’ fame, asked him about Confucius’ personality. The question took Confucius by surprise. “Why don’t you tell him,” said Confucius, “that Confucius’ personality is that he studies so hard without feeling tired, and he even forgets to eat; but still teaches a lot and is not afraid of being poor. He even forgets his age!”
Example:
为了考上理想的大学，我哥哥每天废寝忘食的读书。
(Wèile kǎo shàng lǐxiǎng de dàxué, wǒ gēge měitiān fèiqǐnwàngshí de dúshū.)
In order to get into his ideal university, my brother studied so hard that he didn’t sleep well or eat properly.
2 勤能补拙 (Qín néng bǔ zhuō)
Meaning:
勤(diligent)能(can)补(fix)拙(stupidity) literally means “Being diligent can fix your weaknesses.” It can be a humble as well as inspiring idiom, indicating that people can always overcome their weaknesses with hard work.
Example:
古人说，“勤能补拙”，只要你努力，一定能弥补先天的不足。
(Gǔrén shuō, ‘qínnéngbǔzhuō’, zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, yīdìng néng míbǔ xiāntiān de bùzú.)
Our ancestors said, “Being diligent fixes your weaknesses.” If you are hard-working, you can definitely fix the weaknesses you’re born with.
3 及时行乐 (Jí shí xíng lè)
Meaning:
及时(in time)行(do)乐(fun), in other words, Carpe diem. It’s common for poets to mention the idea of seizing the moment, to enjoy drinking alcohol, and to appreciate the moon in their literary work. For example, in Cao Cao’s (曹操Cáocāo) “Short Lines Styles (短歌行, duǎngē xíng),” he said in the first line:
“对酒当歌，人生几何?” (duì jiǔ dāng gē, rénshēng jǐhé?)
Meaning, “I sing songs with alcohol, because who knows how short life can be?”, in which the concept “life is short” is expressed, so seize the moment and just enjoy it.
Example:
人生苦短，所以要及时行乐。
(Rénshēng kǔ duǎn, suǒyǐ yào jíshí xínglè.)
Life is short, so carpe diem!
4 半途而废 (Bàn tú ér fèi)
Meaning:
半(half)途(way)而(but)废(fail; give up) is a common Chengyu describing people who give up when they are halfway in completing something.
Example:
他做事情总是半途而废，难怪成不了大事。
(Tā zuò shìqíng zǒng shì bàntú’érfèi, nánguài chéng bùliǎo dàshì.)
He always gives up things when he’s halfway there; no wonder he can never accomplish something big.
5 逆水行舟 (Nì shuǐ xíng zhōu)
Meaning:
逆(opposite)水(water)行(go)舟(boat) literally means to sail the boat against the current. It inspires people to keep moving against the flow of the water, which means that they can conquer difficulties no matter what.
Example:
学习就像逆水行舟，不进则退。
(Xuéxí jiù xiàng nìshuǐxíngzhōu, bù jìn zé tuì.)
Learning is like sailing the boat against the current, it either progresses or retreats.
Source: Dig Mandarin
Editor: Jade
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