凿壁偷光
凿壁偷光 (záo bì tōu guāng) literally means “pierce wall steal light” and expresses “study despite poverty”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zao bi tou guang, zao bi tou guang,凿壁偷光 meaning, 凿壁偷光 in english
Study despite poverty
Pronunciation: záo bì tōu guāng
Literal meaning: Pierce wall steal light
Origin & Usage
The story of Kuang Heng, who pierced (凿) his wall (壁) to steal (偷) light (光) from his neighbor's lamp for studying, emerged during the Han Dynasty and was recorded in official histories. Too poor to afford oil for his own lamp, his determination to study despite poverty inspired generations of students. The image of borrowed lamplight streaming through a hole in the wall became a powerful symbol of pursuing education despite material constraints. During the Song Dynasty, when social mobility through education reached new heights, this idiom gained particular significance in encouraging poor scholars. Modern usage often describes students or entrepreneurs who succeed despite resource limitations, emphasizing creativity and determination in overcoming socioeconomic obstacles.
Examples
English: "The student studied by streetlight when electricity was unavailable"
Chinese: 没有电的时候，这个学生在路灯下学习
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 凿壁偷光 mean in English?
凿壁偷光 (záo bì tōu guāng) literally translates to “Pierce wall steal light” and is used to express “Study despite poverty”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 凿壁偷光 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving study despite poverty.
What is the pinyin for 凿壁偷光?
The pinyin pronunciation for 凿壁偷光 is “záo bì tōu guāng”.