百折不挠
百折不挠 (bǎi zhé bù náo) literally means “bend hundred times never yield” and expresses “unshakeable despite adversity”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Unshakeable despite adversity
Pronunciation: bǎi zhé bù náo
Literal meaning: Bend hundred times never yield
Origin & Usage
Dating to the Warring States period, this idiom describes bamboo that bends a hundred (百) times (折) but never (不) yields (挠). The imagery comes from ancient observations of bamboo groves surviving severe storms by bending rather than breaking. The metaphor gained particular significance during the Three Kingdoms period, when strategist Zhuge Liang used it to encourage his troops during difficult campaigns. Confucian scholars later adopted it to describe moral resilience under pressure. In modern contexts, it's often invoked during times of personal or national adversity, emphasizing that true strength lies not in rigid resistance but in flexible persistence. The idiom particularly resonates in business and personal development contexts.
Examples
English: "Despite numerous rejections, she never gave up on her dreams"
Chinese: 尽管屡次被拒绝，她从未放弃梦想
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百折不挠 mean in English?
百折不挠 (bǎi zhé bù náo) literally translates to “Bend hundred times never yield” and is used to express “Unshakeable despite adversity”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 百折不挠 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving unshakeable despite adversity.
What is the pinyin for 百折不挠?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百折不挠 is “bǎi zhé bù náo”.