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.
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.
Examples
English: "His gambling addiction had reached a point where intervention seemed futile"
Chinese: 他的赌博成瘾已经到了似乎干预也无济于事的地步
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: His gambling addiction had reached a point where intervention seemed futile
What is the pinyin for 不可救药?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不可救药 is “bù kě jiù yào”.
Curated Lists Featuring 不可救药
8 Chinese Idioms About Bad Bosses & Toxic Leadership
Colorful Chinese idioms describing terrible bosses, incompetent managers, and toxic workplace behavior.
8 Chinese Idioms About Frugality & Saving Money
Practical Chinese idioms about being thrifty, avoiding waste, and the wisdom of saving for the future.