卧薪尝胆 (wò xīn cháng dǎn) — to undergo self-imposed hardships in order to achieve a future goal; to steel oneself for future trials
Definition
A chengyu from the story of King Goujian of Yue: literally 'sleep on brushwood and taste gall' to endure hardship in order to exact revenge. Used for enduring suffering now to win later.
idiom
to undergo self-imposed hardships in order to achieve a future goalto steel oneself for future trials
Examples
- ，卧薪尝胆，。Wèi le kǎo shàng lǐ xiǎng de dà xué, tā jué dìng wò xīn cháng dǎn, kè kǔ xué xí.To get into his dream university, he decided to endure hardships and study diligently.
- 卧薪尝胆，。Zhè jiā gōng sī zài wēi jī zhōng xuǎn zé le wò xīn cháng dǎn, zhōng yú chóng huò shēng jī.This company chose to endure hardships in the crisis and finally regained vitality.
- 卧薪尝胆，。Yuè wáng gōu jiàn wò xīn cháng dǎn de gù shi, tí xǐng wǒ men jiān chí yǔ rěn nài de lì liàng.The story of King Goujian of Yue undergoing hardships reminds us of the power of persistence and patience.
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