苦口婆心 (kǔ kǒu pó xīn) — (idiom) to earnestly and patiently persuade or admonish someone with good intentions

Definition

An idiom for earnestly and patiently advising someone, often when they resist. Literally 'bitter mouth, kind heart' — stresses the speaker's good intentions despite the recipient's stubbornness.

idiom
to earnestly and patiently persuade or admonish someone with good intentions

Examples

  • 苦口婆心
    Mā ma kǔ kǒu pó xīn dì quàn tā bú yào áo yè.
    Mom earnestly advised him not to stay up late.
  • 苦口婆心
    Lǎo shī kǔ kǒu pó xīn dì jiào yù xué shēng yào hǎo hǎo xué xí.
    The teacher patiently urged the students to study hard.
  • 苦口婆心
    Wǒ kǔ kǒu pó xīn dì shuō le bàn tiān, tā hái shì bù tīng.
    I earnestly talked to him for a long time, but he still wouldn't listen.

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