囊萤映雪
囊萤映雪 (náng yíng yìng xuě) literally means “firefly in bag snow reflection” and expresses “study despite hardship”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: nang ying ying xue, nang ying ying xue,囊萤映雪 meaning, 囊萤映雪 in english
Study despite hardship
Pronunciation: náng yíng yìng xuě
Literal meaning: Firefly in bag snow reflection
Origin & Usage
This poetic idiom combines two classical stories of determined scholars: one who studied by the light of captured fireflies in a bag (囊萤), another who read by snow's reflection (映雪). Dating to the Jin Dynasty, these tales exemplified extraordinary dedication to learning despite poverty. The firefly scholar, Che Yin, couldn't afford oil for lamps, while Sun Kang utilized moonlight reflected off snow to read. Together, they created an enduring symbol of perseverance in pursuit of knowledge. Modern usage celebrates innovative solutions to resource limitations and serves as inspiration for students facing hardship, suggesting that determination can overcome material constraints.
Examples
English: "She studied during her long commute, making use of every spare moment"
Chinese: 她在漫长的通勤时间里学习，利用每一个空闲时刻
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 囊萤映雪 mean in English?
囊萤映雪 (náng yíng yìng xuě) literally translates to “Firefly in bag snow reflection” and is used to express “Study despite hardship”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 囊萤映雪 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving study despite hardship.
What is the pinyin for 囊萤映雪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 囊萤映雪 is “náng yíng yìng xuě”.