锲而不舍(鍥而不捨)

Pronunciation: qiè ér bù shě Literal meaning: Carve and not stop

Origin & Usage

This idiom originates from the story of an ancient man who attempted to carve (锲) through a mountain with unwavering persistence (不舍). Recorded in pre-Qin texts, it exemplifies the classical Chinese virtue of perseverance through seemingly impossible tasks. The character 锲 specifically refers to carving jade - a process requiring both strength and delicacy. Modern usage emphasizes persistent effort toward goals, particularly in contexts requiring both determination and careful attention to detail.

When to Use

Situation: Despite repeated failures, the researcher continued his experiments with determination

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