锲而不舍

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: qiè ér bù shě
• English Translation: To keep carving without stopping (unwavering perseverance)
• Idiom Composition: 「锲」（To carve or engrave with a tool.）＋「而」（A conjunction used here to connect the action and the result (and yet/but).）＋「不」（Not.）＋「舍」（To stop, give up, or abandon.）
• Meaning: To continue carving or engraving without giving up, even when faced with immense difficulty. It describes a spirit of persistent effort, tenacity, and the determination to see a task through to the end.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「锲而不舍」 contains the following nuances:

• Continuous Accumulation: The idiom emphasizes that success is not about a single burst of energy, but the steady accumulation of effort over a long period.
• Resilience Against Hardship: The imagery of carving hard stone or metal implies a mental strength that does not buckle under boredom, repetition, or difficulty.

3. Usage

「锲而不舍」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Academic & Research: Used to praise the dedication required in fields where results take a long time to manifest.
  • Example:「他在科研道路上锲而不舍，终于取得了突破性的成果。」
    （He showed unflagging perseverance on the path of scientific research and finally achieved a breakthrough.）
• Goal Achievement: Describes the tenacity needed to reach high goals in sports or business.
  • Example:「正是因为这种锲而不舍的精神，这支球队才赢得了冠军。」
    （It was precisely because of this tenacious spirit that the team won the championship.）
• Mottoes & Encouragement: Commonly used in speeches or as a personal motto to inspire others to keep going.
  • Example:「要想成功，就必须要有锲而不舍的毅力。」
    （If you want to succeed, you must have unwavering persistence.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对一次次的失败，他依然锲而不舍地进行实验。
   （Facing repeated failures, he still persevered with his experiments.）
2. 学习外语没有捷径，只有锲而不舍地练习才能掌握。
   （There are no shortcuts to learning a foreign language; you can only master it through persistent practice.）
3. 警方锲而不舍地追踪线索，最终抓获了嫌疑人。
   （The police relentlessly followed the clues and finally captured the suspect.）
4. 这种锲而不舍的追求完美的态度，值得我们每个人学习。
   （This attitude of tirelessly pursuing perfection is something we should all learn from.）
5. 只要你锲而不舍，梦想终究会实现。
   （As long as you persevere, your dreams will eventually come true.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom originates from the 'Encouraging Learning' (劝学篇) chapter of the book *Xunzi* (荀子), written by the Warring States period philosopher Xunzi (荀子).
• The original text states: 'If you start carving and then stop, even rotten wood will not break; if you keep carving without stopping (锲而不舍), even metal and stone can be engraved.' This highlights that persistence can make the impossible possible.
• In modern Chinese culture, this is one of the most frequently cited idioms in education and business to inspire 'grit.' The famous writer Lu Xun (鲁迅) also championed this spirit, referring to it as 'toughness' (韧 - rèn), a necessary quality for social progress.

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 matter with constancy.link
  • 坚持不懈 (jiān chí bù xiè): To persist without slackening; to keep up the effort without stopping.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.
  • 浅尝辄止 (qiǎn cháng zhé zhǐ): To stop after a slight attempt or taste.link

6. Summary

锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě) is a highly positive idiom used to praise someone's persistence and grit. Originating from the writings of the philosopher Xunzi (荀子), it suggests that just as one can carve through metal or stone by not stopping, any goal can be achieved through continuous, 'never-say-die' effort. It is a staple in academic and professional contexts to emphasize that 'persistence is the key to success.'