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
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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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”.