悬梁刺股
悬梁刺股 (xuán liáng cì gǔ) literally means “hang beam stab thigh” and expresses “study extremely hard”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: xuan liang ci gu, xuan liang ci gu,悬梁刺股 meaning, 悬梁刺股 in english
Study extremely hard
Pronunciation: xuán liáng cì gǔ
Literal meaning: Hang beam stab thigh
Origin & Usage
This idiom pairs two classical studying techniques: tying (悬) hair to a beam (梁) to prevent dozing off and stabbing (刺) one's thigh (股) with an awl to stay alert. These practices were attributed to Su Qin and Sun Jing, two scholars from the Warring States period who initially failed their examinations but eventually achieved great success through determined studying. The stories appeared in numerous educational texts throughout the Han Dynasty, becoming powerful symbols of academic persistence. While the literal practices aren't endorsed today, the idiom remains a potent symbol of academic dedication, frequently invoked during intense preparation periods before major examinations. Modern usage extends to any situation requiring extraordinary dedication to learning or skill development, particularly in competitive professional environments.
Examples
English: "She studied late into the night, determined to master the subject"
Chinese: 她深夜苦读，决心掌握这门学科
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
Learn more →
独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
Learn more →
别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
Learn more →
独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
Learn more →
独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
Learn more →
出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
Learn more →
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
Learn more →
无懈可击
wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 悬梁刺股 mean in English?
悬梁刺股 (xuán liáng cì gǔ) literally translates to “Hang beam stab thigh” and is used to express “Study extremely hard”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 悬梁刺股 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving study extremely hard.
What is the pinyin for 悬梁刺股?
The pinyin pronunciation for 悬梁刺股 is “xuán liáng cì gǔ”.