覆水难收
覆水难收 (fù shuǐ nán shōu) literally means “spilled water hard to recover” and expresses “actions cannot be undone”. 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: fu shui nan shou, fu shui nan shou,覆水难收 meaning, 覆水难收 in english
Actions cannot be undone
Pronunciation: fù shuǐ nán shōu
Literal meaning: Spilled water hard to recover
Origin & Usage
This irreversible idiom states that water once spilled (覆水) is difficult (难) to gather back (收), originating from Tang Dynasty poetry. It first appeared in a poem about irrevocable separation between husband and wife, comparing their relationship to water impossible to return to its container once poured out. The water metaphor was particularly powerful in Chinese philosophy, where flowing water symbolized both time and opportunity that cannot be recaptured. During the Song Dynasty, it expanded beyond relationships to represent any irreversible action. Modern usage describes situations where consequences cannot be undone, particularly decisions, words, or actions with permanent effects, teaching the importance of careful consideration before taking irreversible steps.
Examples
English: "After revealing confidential information, he realized some mistakes cannot be undone"
Chinese: 在泄露机密信息后，他意识到有些错误无法挽回
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 覆水难收 mean in English?
覆水难收 (fù shuǐ nán shōu) literally translates to “Spilled water hard to recover” and is used to express “Actions cannot be undone”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 覆水难收 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving actions cannot be undone.
What is the pinyin for 覆水难收?
The pinyin pronunciation for 覆水难收 is “fù shuǐ nán shōu”.