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 idiom 旷日持久 (kuàng rì chí jiǔ) originates from a historical context during the Warring States period, as recorded in the Western Han text 《战国策》 (Zhànguó Cè). The story involves the state of Zhao, which faced an invasion from the state of Yan. Zhao's leaders, despite advice to the contrary, sought external military aid by ceding territory to the state of Qi. This decision led to a prolonged (旷日, kuàng rì) and enduring (持久, chí jiǔ) conflict, draining Zhao's resources. The idiom highlights the importance of strategic foresight and warns against engaging in protracted endeavors that waste time and resources. In modern usage, it describes situations where efforts are unnecessarily extended, often leading to inefficiency.
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
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”.