枕石漱流
枕石漱流 (zhěn shí shù liú) literally means “pillow stone rinse stream” and expresses “endure hardship for goals”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zhen shi shu liu, zhen shi shu liu,枕石漱流 meaning, 枕石漱流 in english
Endure hardship for goals
Pronunciation: zhěn shí shù liú
Literal meaning: Pillow stone rinse stream
Origin & Usage
Drawing from the biography of the recluse-scholar Xu You, who chose to pillow (枕) on stones (石) and rinse (漱) his mouth with flowing (流) stream water rather than accept a position at court during the Yao period. This Wei-Jin period idiom embodied the classical Chinese ideal of maintaining personal integrity through voluntary simplicity. The image of using rocks as pillows and stream water for basic needs represented a profound rejection of material comfort in pursuit of spiritual freedom. The story resonated deeply during periods of political turmoil, inspiring countless scholars to choose principled reclusion over compromised service. Modern usage celebrates those who choose principle over profit, authenticity over advancement, particularly in contexts where maintaining ethical standards requires personal sacrifice.
Examples
English: "The researcher lived modestly while dedicating everything to his work"
Chinese: 研究员过着简朴的生活，把一切都投入到研究工作中
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 枕石漱流 mean in English?
枕石漱流 (zhěn shí shù liú) literally translates to “Pillow stone rinse stream” and is used to express “Endure hardship for goals”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 枕石漱流 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving endure hardship for goals.
What is the pinyin for 枕石漱流?
The pinyin pronunciation for 枕石漱流 is “zhěn shí shù liú”.