千山万水
千山万水 (qiān shān wàn shuǐ) literally means “thousand mountains, ten thousand rivers” and expresses “overcome great obstacles”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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Overcome great obstacles
Pronunciation: qiān shān wàn shuǐ Literal meaning: Thousand mountains, ten thousand rivers
Origin & Usage
The idiom 千山万水 (qiān shān wàn shuǐ) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to evoke the imagery of 'a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers.' It does not have a specific origin story tied to a historical event or text, but it vividly paints a picture of vast distances and numerous obstacles. The characters 千 (qiān) meaning 'thousand,' 山 (shān) meaning 'mountain,' 万 (wàn) meaning 'ten thousand,' and 水 (shuǐ) meaning 'water' or 'river,' collectively emphasize the idea of traversing great distances and overcoming numerous challenges. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe the perseverance and determination required to achieve one's goals, suggesting that no matter how many obstacles one faces, they can be overcome with persistence and effort.
Examples
English: "After traveling through countless obstacles, she finally reached her destination."
Chinese: 她经历了千山万水，终于到达了目的地。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 千山万水 mean in English?
千山万水 (qiān shān wàn shuǐ) literally translates to “Thousand mountains, ten thousand rivers” and is used to express “Overcome great obstacles”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 千山万水 used?
Situation: After traveling through countless obstacles, she finally reached her destination.
What is the pinyin for 千山万水?
The pinyin pronunciation for 千山万水 is “qiān shān wàn shuǐ”.