坚持不懈

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jiān chí bù xiè
• English Translation: To persist unswervingly (unremitting perseverance)
• Idiom Composition: 「坚」（Firm, resolute, or solid.）＋「持」（To hold, maintain, or persist.）＋「不」（Not (negation).）＋「懈」（To slack off, become idle, or relax one's efforts.）
• Meaning: To persevere and never give up; to keep going without slacking off, regardless of difficulties, fatigue, or obstacles. It is a highly positive term used to describe a steadfast commitment to a goal.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「坚持不懈」 contains the following nuances:

• Sustainability: Unlike a temporary burst of energy, this idiom emphasizes maintaining a consistent action or attitude over a long duration.
• Mental Fortitude: By specifying 'not slacking' (不懈), the idiom implies a strong willpower that resists the temptations of laziness, fatigue, or the urge to quit.

3. Usage

「坚持不懈」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• The Secret to Success: Most frequently used in educational or encouraging contexts to explain that continuous effort is essential for achieving success.
  • Example:「要想学好外语，没有捷径，只有坚持不懈地练习。」
    （There is no shortcut to mastering a foreign language; you only need to practice persistently.）
• Praising Individuals: Used to commend someone who has achieved a breakthrough or maintained their efforts over a long period despite challenges.
  • Example:「正是因为他多年的坚持不懈，这项研究才取得了突破。」
    （It was precisely because of his years of unremitting effort that this research achieved a breakthrough.）
• Slogans and Resolutions: Commonly used in personal goal-setting or organizational slogans to declare a commitment to never giving up.
  • Example:「无论遇到什么困难，我们都要坚持不懈，直到最后胜利。」
    （No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must persevere until the final victory.）

Additional Examples:

1. 减肥需要坚持不懈的毅力，不能三天打鱼两天晒网。
   （Losing weight requires persistent willpower; you can't just work at it in fits and starts.）
2. 虽然失败了很多次，但他依然坚持不懈地进行实验。
   （Despite many failures, he continues to conduct experiments with unflagging perseverance.）
3. 这种坚持不懈的精神值得我们每个人学习。
   （This spirit of tireless effort is something every one of us should learn from.）
4. 只要坚持不懈，铁杵也能磨成针。
   （As long as you persevere, even an iron pestle can be ground into a needle.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Historical Origin: While found in historical records like the Draft History of Qing (清史稿), it has evolved into one of the most common idioms in modern Chinese.
• Cultural Values: In Chinese society, diligence and endurance are often held in higher regard than innate talent. This idiom is the primary way to praise a 'hard worker' who overcomes obstacles through sheer grit.
• Related Proverbs: It is often paired with the famous proverb 只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针 (zhǐ yào gōng fu shēn, tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn), which literally means 'with enough hard work, an iron pestle can be ground into a needle,' illustrating that no task is impossible with persistence.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng): To persevere with a constant heart; to carry on a task with constancy.link
  • 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě): To keep carving without stopping; to see a task through to the end without giving up.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): To give up halfway; to leave a task unfinished.link
  • 一曝十寒 (yī pù shí hán): To sun something for one day and freeze it for ten; to work in fits and starts without consistency.
  • 自暴自弃 (zì qiáng bù xī): To give up on oneself and abandon all hope.link

6. Summary

坚持不懈 (jiān chí bù xiè) is a cornerstone idiom in Chinese culture that emphasizes the value of persistence. It describes an attitude of seeing a task through to the end without losing focus or determination. Whether in academics, sports, or career development, it conveys the message that 'persistence is power' and is frequently used in both formal writing and daily conversation.