旷日持久
旷日持久 (kuàng rì chí jiǔ) literally means “protracted and enduring” and expresses “wasteful delay”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: kuang ri chi jiu, kuang ri chi jiu,旷日持久 meaning, 旷日持久 in english
Wasteful delay
Pronunciation: kuàng rì chí jiǔ Literal meaning: Protracted and enduring
Origin & Usage
The Strategies of the Warring States records the argument against Zhao's plan to buy Qi's military help with a gift of territory: the campaign would drag, the land would be gone, and the aid would arrive too late to matter. Days (日) left empty (旷) and a thing dragged out (持久). The phrase always carries the criticism — it is not a neutral word for a long undertaking but specifically one that has consumed time without producing a result, and it attaches naturally to litigation, negotiations and wars nobody can end.
Examples
English: "The project has been ongoing for years without resolution."
Chinese: 这个项目旷日持久，始终没有解决。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
天长日久
tiān cháng rì jiǔ
Prolonged duration
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心旷神怡
xīn kuàng shén yí
Feeling carefree and happy
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天长地久
tiān cháng dì jiǔ
Everlasting; eternal
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持之以恒
chí zhī yǐ héng
Steadfast dedication
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坚持不懈
jiān chí bù xiè
Unwavering perseverance
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安步当车
ān bù dàng chē
Choose simpler pleasures over status displays
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安然无恙
ān rán wú yàng
Completely safe and unharmed through danger
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高枕无忧
gāo zhěn wú yōu
Completely free from worry or concern
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 旷日持久 mean in English?
旷日持久 (kuàng rì chí jiǔ) literally translates to “Protracted and enduring” and is used to express “Wasteful delay”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 旷日持久 used?
Situation: The project has been ongoing for years without resolution.
What is the pinyin for 旷日持久?
The pinyin pronunciation for 旷日持久 is “kuàng rì chí jiǔ”.