忍辱负重
忍辱负重 (rěn rǔ fù zhòng) literally means “endure humiliation bear burdens” and expresses “persevere through adversity”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: ren ru fu zhong, ren ru fu zhong,忍辱负重 meaning, 忍辱负重 in english
Persevere through adversity
Pronunciation: rěn rǔ fù zhòng Literal meaning: Endure humiliation bear burdens
Origin & Usage
This idiom originates from the historical account of Lu Xun (陆逊), a general of the Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. In 221 CE, Lu Xun was appointed to lead the defense against Liu Bei's (刘备) massive invasion. Despite facing skepticism from veteran generals due to his youth and scholarly background, Lu Xun (忍辱, endure humiliation) maintained his composure and focused on his heavy responsibilities (负重, bear burdens). He strategically avoided direct confrontation until the enemy was fatigued, then launched a decisive attack, securing a significant victory at the Battle of Yiling. The idiom highlights the virtue of enduring hardship and insult to achieve greater goals. In modern usage, it describes persevering through adversity to fulfill important duties.
Examples
English: "To achieve his goals, he had to endure many hardships and keep pushing forward despite the challenges."
Chinese: 为了实现他的目标，他不得不忍辱负重，继续前行。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 忍辱负重 mean in English?
忍辱负重 (rěn rǔ fù zhòng) literally translates to “Endure humiliation bear burdens” and is used to express “Persevere through adversity”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 忍辱负重 used?
Situation: To achieve his goals, he had to endure many hardships and keep pushing forward despite the challenges.
What is the pinyin for 忍辱负重?
The pinyin pronunciation for 忍辱负重 is “rěn rǔ fù zhòng”.
Curated Lists Featuring 忍辱负重
10 Chinese Idioms About Enduring Hardship
Discover 10 powerful Chinese idioms about persevering through suffering, bearing heavy burdens, and emerging stronger from adversity.
10 Chinese Idioms About Loyalty & Self-Sacrifice
Learn 10 moving Chinese idioms about unwavering loyalty, putting others first, and the noble tradition of self-sacrifice in Chinese culture.