学海无涯
学海无涯 (xué hǎi wú yá) literally means “ocean of learning has no shores” and expresses “learning is limitless”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Learning is limitless
Pronunciation: xué hǎi wú yá
Literal meaning: Ocean of learning has no shores
Origin & Usage
This idiom comes from a longer phrase '学海无涯，苦作舟渡' - the sea (海) of learning (学) has no shores (无涯), but hard work is the boat that crosses it. First appearing in Song Dynasty scholarly texts, it gained prominence during the Ming period when private academies flourished. The ocean metaphor was especially meaningful as classical education required navigating vast bodies of literature. Modern usage emphasizes both the endless nature of learning in our information age and the humility required for true scholarship. Particularly popular in academic settings, it reminds us that knowledge is boundless, and even experts must maintain a learner's mindset throughout their lives.
Examples
English: "Even at 80, she continues to learn new things every day"
Chinese: 即使八十岁了，她每天仍在学习新东西
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 学海无涯 mean in English?
学海无涯 (xué hǎi wú yá) literally translates to “Ocean of learning has no shores” and is used to express “Learning is limitless”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 学海无涯 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving learning is limitless.
What is the pinyin for 学海无涯?
The pinyin pronunciation for 学海无涯 is “xué hǎi wú yá”.