夜以继日

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yè yǐ jì rì
• English Translation: Day and night / Around the clock (To continue the day into the night)
• Idiom Composition: 「夜」（Night）＋「以」（To use / by means of）＋「继」（To continue / to follow）＋「日」（Day / daytime）
• Meaning: To use the night to continue the work of the day; to work or study tirelessly without rest. It describes a state of being completely immersed in a task, often sacrificing sleep to achieve a goal.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「夜以继日」 contains the following nuances:

• Continuity of Time: The literal meaning 'using the night to continue the day' emphasizes an unbroken flow of activity. It suggests that the transition from day to night does not signal a stop to the work.
• Diligence and Urgency: Beyond just 'long hours,' the idiom implies a high level of commitment (勤奋 - qín fèn) or a situation where the deadline is so pressing that rest is not an option.

3. Usage

「夜以继日」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Projects and Construction: Used to describe working 24/7 to meet a deadline or complete a project before a specific event.
  • Example:「为了赶在雨季前完工，工人们夜以继日地在工地上忙碌。」
    （In order to finish before the rainy season, the workers have been busy on the construction site day and night.）
• Research and Academic Study: Used to praise scientists or students who are so focused on their research or exams that they forget to eat or sleep.
  • Example:「科学家们夜以继日地进行实验，终于攻克了这个难题。」
    （The scientists conducted experiments around the clock and finally solved this difficult problem.）
• Emergency Response: Describes activities where every second counts, such as disaster relief or medical emergencies.
  • Example:「救援队夜以继日地搜救幸存者，不放弃任何一丝希望。」
    （The rescue team searched for survivors day and night, refusing to give up even a single glimmer of hope.）

Additional Examples:

1. 经过夜以继日的努力，这本小说终于出版了。
   （After tireless efforts, this novel was finally published.）
2. 医生和护士们夜以继日地守护在病人身边。
   （The doctors and nurses stayed by the patient's side, caring for them around the clock.）
3. 为了应对即将到来的考试，他夜以继日地复习功课。
   （To prepare for the upcoming exam, he is studying day and night.）
4. 这家工厂夜以继日地生产口罩，以满足市场需求。
   （The factory is producing masks around the clock to meet market demand.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The origins of this idiom can be found in classic texts such as Mencius (孟子) and Zhuangzi (庄子). Historically, it was used to describe the dedication of rulers or scholars who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the state or their studies.
• In Chinese culture, diligence (勤奋 - qín fèn) is considered a core virtue. 夜以继日 (yè yǐ jì rì) is often used as a high compliment for someone's dedication and work ethic.
• In modern contexts, while it still carries a positive sense of 'dedication,' it is sometimes used to describe the intense '996' work culture (working 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week) prevalent in some industries, though the idiom itself remains focused on the effort rather than the exhaustion.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 废寝忘食 (fèi qǐn wàng shí): To forget to eat and sleep; to be completely absorbed in something.link
  • 通宵达旦 (tōng xiāo dá dàn): To last throughout the night until dawn.
  • 没日没夜 (méi rì méi yè): To work or do something continuously without rest, day and night.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 游手好闲 (yóu shǒu hào xián): To idle about and live a life of leisure without working.
  • 无所事事 (wú suǒ shì shì): To have nothing to do; to be at a loose end.link
  • 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò): To muddle through, taking one day at a time without much thought for the future.link

6. Summary

夜以继日 (yè yǐ jì rì) is an idiom used to describe working or studying with extreme diligence, treating the night as an extension of the day. It highlights a person's persistence and sense of urgency. While it often carries a positive connotation of hard work and dedication, it can also be used to describe intense labor conditions in a neutral or descriptive way.