呕心沥血
呕心沥血 (ǒu xīn lì xuè) literally means “vomit heart drip blood” and expresses “invest utmost effort and emotion”. 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: ou xin li xue, ou xin li xue,呕心沥血 meaning, 呕心沥血 in english
Invest utmost effort and emotion
Pronunciation: ǒu xīn lì xuè
Literal meaning: Vomit heart drip blood
Origin & Usage
This visceral idiom describes effort so intense it's like vomiting (呕) one's heart (心) and dripping (沥) blood (血), first appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism. It originally described the suffering of poets who created through intense emotional labor. Scholar Han Yu used it to explain how great writing emerges from profound internal struggle. During the Song Dynasty, it expanded beyond literary contexts to describe any work requiring extreme dedication and personal sacrifice. Unlike idioms describing external obstacles, it focuses on the internal toll of creation or achievement. Modern usage honors those who invest themselves completely in their work, particularly in artistic and intellectual pursuits requiring emotional authenticity and complete commitment.
Examples
English: "The author poured her deepest emotions into the novel"
Chinese: 作者把最深的情感倾注在这部小说中
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 呕心沥血 mean in English?
呕心沥血 (ǒu xīn lì xuè) literally translates to “Vomit heart drip blood” and is used to express “Invest utmost effort and emotion”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 呕心沥血 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving invest utmost effort and emotion.
What is the pinyin for 呕心沥血?
The pinyin pronunciation for 呕心沥血 is “ǒu xīn lì xuè”.