死而后已
死而后已 (sǐ ér hòu yǐ) literally means “only stop after death” and expresses “continue until death; lifelong commitment”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: si er hou yi, si er hou yi,死而后已 meaning, 死而后已 in english
Continue until death; lifelong commitment
Pronunciation: sǐ ér hòu yǐ Literal meaning: Only stop after death
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes stopping (已) only after (后) death (死). Often paired with 鞠躬尽瘁, it completes Zhuge Liang's famous statement of lifelong dedication. The phrase represents commitment that only death can end. Modern usage describes unwavering dedication to principles or causes, the resolve to continue fighting until one's final breath.
Examples
English: "His commitment to justice continued until his last day."
Chinese: 他对正义的追求死而后已。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 死而后已 mean in English?
死而后已 (sǐ ér hòu yǐ) literally translates to “Only stop after death” and is used to express “Continue until death; lifelong commitment”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 死而后已 used?
Situation: His commitment to justice continued until his last day.
What is the pinyin for 死而后已?
The pinyin pronunciation for 死而后已 is “sǐ ér hòu yǐ”.