风雨无阻
Persist despite difficult conditions
Pronunciation: fēng yǔ wú zǔ
Literal meaning: Wind rain no hindrance
Origin & Usage
This determined idiom states that wind (风) and rain (雨) present no (无) obstacle (阻), originating from Han Dynasty courier service standards. Historical records describe how imperial postal systems maintained operation regardless of weather conditions, ensuring communication across the vast empire. During the Tang Dynasty, the phrase appeared in military manuals describing ideal troop resilience. The specific mention of wind and rain represented the most common natural challenges rather than extraordinary disasters. Unlike terms for blind recklessness, it emphasizes determined persistence despite normal difficulties. Modern usage describes steadfast dedication to duty or purpose regardless of predictable challenges, particularly in service contexts where reliability despite conditions is valued.
Examples
English: "The delivery service continued operating throughout the severe typhoon season"
Chinese: 快递服务在整个台风季节期间继续运营
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