不可救药
不可救药 (bù kě jiù yào) literally means “cannot be saved by medicine” and expresses “beyond hope of redemption or reform”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: bu ke jiu yao, bu ke jiu yao,不可救药 meaning, 不可救药 in english
Beyond hope of redemption or reform
Pronunciation: bù kě jiù yào Literal meaning: Cannot be saved by medicine
Origin & Usage
The great physician Zhang Zhongjing's 'Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders' introduced this concept of conditions that cannot (不可) be cured by medicine (救药). Tang Dynasty Buddhist writers expanded its meaning beyond physical ailments to describe moral corruption beyond redemption. When even the most skilled physician acknowledges the limits of their art, it suggests a truly hopeless situation. Modern usage spans from addiction to systemic problems where even expert intervention proves futile.
When to Use
Situation: His gambling addiction had reached a point where intervention seemed futile
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不可救药 mean in English?
不可救药 (bù kě jiù yào) literally translates to “Cannot be saved by medicine” and is used to express “Beyond hope of redemption or reform”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 不可救药 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving beyond hope of redemption or reform.
What is the pinyin for 不可救药?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不可救药 is “bù kě jiù yào”.