寸步难行
寸步难行 (cùn bù nán xíng) literally means “inch step difficult to walk” and expresses “unable to move forward at all”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: cun bu nan xing, cun bu nan xing,寸步难行 meaning, 寸步难行 in english
Unable to move forward at all
Pronunciation: cùn bù nán xíng Literal meaning: Inch step difficult to walk
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being unable to walk (难行) even an inch (寸步). The smallest unit of progress - a single step - becomes impossible. The phrase appeared in texts describing extreme difficulties or insurmountable obstacles. It captures the frustration of complete immobilization. Modern usage describes situations where progress is blocked entirely, whether by bureaucratic obstacles, resource constraints, or opposition that makes even minimal advancement impossible.
Examples
English: "Without proper documentation, progress was impossible."
Chinese: 没有适当的文件，工作寸步难行。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 寸步难行 mean in English?
寸步难行 (cùn bù nán xíng) literally translates to “Inch step difficult to walk” and is used to express “Unable to move forward at all”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 寸步难行 used?
Situation: Without proper documentation, progress was impossible.
What is the pinyin for 寸步难行?
The pinyin pronunciation for 寸步难行 is “cùn bù nán xíng”.