不可救药(不可救藥)
不可救药 (bù kě jiù yào) literally means “cannot be saved by medicine”and expresses “beyond hope of redemption or reform”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: bu ke jiu yao, bu ke jiu yao,不可救药 meaning, 不可救药 in english
Pronunciation: bù kě jiù yào Literal meaning: Cannot be saved by medicine
Origin & Usage
The great physician Zhang Zhongjing's 'Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders' introduced this concept of conditions that cannot (不可) be cured by medicine (救药). Tang Dynasty Buddhist writers expanded its meaning beyond physical ailments to describe moral corruption beyond redemption. When even the most skilled physician acknowledges the limits of their art, it suggests a truly hopeless situation. Modern usage spans from addiction to systemic problems where even expert intervention proves futile.
When to Use
Situation: His gambling addiction had reached a point where intervention seemed futile
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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见好就收
jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Quit while ahead; take profits
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 不可救药 mean in English?
不可救药 (bù kě jiù yào) literally translates to “Cannot be saved by medicine”and is used to express “Beyond hope of redemption or reform”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 不可救药 used?
Situation: His gambling addiction had reached a point where intervention seemed futile
What is the pinyin for 不可救药?
The pinyin pronunciation for 不可救药 is “bù kě jiù yào”.
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