囊萤映雪
囊萤映雪 (náng yíng yìng xuě) literally means “firefly in bag snow reflection” and expresses “study despite hardship”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: nang ying ying xue, nang ying ying xue,囊萤映雪 meaning, 囊萤映雪 in english
Study despite hardship
Pronunciation: náng yíng yìng xuě Literal meaning: Firefly in bag snow reflection
Origin & Usage
Two Jin-dynasty scholars, joined into one phrase. Che Yin could not afford lamp oil, so in summer he filled a thin silk bag with several dozen fireflies (囊萤) and read by them through the night. Sun Kang, equally poor, read in winter by the light thrown back off the snow (映雪). Both stories are told in a couple of lines apiece and both entered the Three Character Classic, which is how every Chinese child meets them. The phrase praises study pursued without the means for it.
Examples
English: "She studied during her long commute, making use of every spare moment"
Chinese: 她在漫长的通勤时间里学习，利用每一个空闲时刻
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
程门立雪
chéng mén lì xuě
Show profound respect and patience seeking wisdom
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雪上加霜
xuě shàng jiā shuāng
Add insult to injury; make things worse
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锦囊妙计
jǐn náng miào jì
Prepared clever strategy
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循序渐进
xún xù jiàn jìn
Progress step by step
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闻过则喜
wén guò zé xǐ
Welcome criticism; embrace feedback
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因材施教
yīn cái shī jiào
Adapt teaching to student abilities
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有教无类
yǒu jiào wú lèi
Teach anyone, whatever their station
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一丝不苟
yī sī bù gǒu
Extremely careful and thorough
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 囊萤映雪 mean in English?
囊萤映雪 (náng yíng yìng xuě) literally translates to “Firefly in bag snow reflection” and is used to express “Study despite hardship”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 囊萤映雪 used?
Situation: She studied during her long commute, making use of every spare moment
What is the pinyin for 囊萤映雪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 囊萤映雪 is “náng yíng yìng xuě”.
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