愚公移山
愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān) literally means “foolish old man moves mountains” and expresses “persistence overcomes huge obstacles”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: yu gong yi shan, yu gong yi shan,愚公移山 meaning, 愚公移山 in english
Persistence overcomes huge obstacles
Pronunciation: yú gōng yí shān Literal meaning: Foolish old man moves mountains
Origin & Usage
This persistent idiom tells of a determined old man (愚公) who began removing (移) mountains (山) that blocked his path, originating from the 'Liezi' during the Warring States period. When ridiculed for attempting such an impossible task at his advanced age, he replied that while he might die, his descendants would continue until the mountains were gone. The gods, moved by his persistence, ordered the mountains removed. During the Han Dynasty, the story became emblematic of the power of multigenerational effort against seemingly impossible challenges. Modern usage celebrates determined perseverance against overwhelming obstacles, particularly projects requiring sustained effort over extended periods, teaching that consistent application of effort can overcome even the most imposing challenges.
Examples
English: "Despite overwhelming obstacles, the small team persisted until they revolutionized the industry"
Chinese: 尽管面临巨大障碍，这个小团队坚持不懈，最终彻底改变了行业
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 愚公移山 mean in English?
愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān) literally translates to “Foolish old man moves mountains” and is used to express “Persistence overcomes huge obstacles”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 愚公移山 used?
Situation: Despite overwhelming obstacles, the small team persisted until they revolutionized the industry
What is the pinyin for 愚公移山?
The pinyin pronunciation for 愚公移山 is “yú gōng yí shān”.
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