Keywords: 不屈不挠, bù qū bù náo, Chinese idiom for perseverance, unyielding spirit, indomitable meaning, tenacious in Chinese, how to say determined in Chinese, Chinese chengyu, unbreakable spirit.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) that describes an unyielding and indomitable spirit. This term is used to praise someone who perseveres through immense difficulty, adversity, or oppression without ever giving up. Learn how this concept of tenacious, unbreakable spirit is celebrated in Chinese culture and how to use it to describe profound determination.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bù qū bù náo
Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu); Adjective; Adverb
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: To be unyielding and refuse to give in; indomitable and persevering.
In a Nutshell:不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo) is a formal, four-character idiom that paints a picture of heroic resilience. It describes a person or spirit that cannot be bent or broken, no matter the pressure. Think of a mighty oak in a storm or a hero facing impossible odds. It’s not just about being stubborn; it’s about possessing a noble, unbreakable inner strength and sticking to one's principles in the face of great adversity.
Character Breakdown
不 (bù): A negative particle meaning “no” or “not.”
屈 (qū): To bend, to yield, to submit under pressure.
不 (bù): “No” or “not,” repeated for structural balance and emphasis.
挠 (náo): To be thwarted, to give in, to be discouraged or vexed.
The structure “不 A 不 B” literally translates to “not A and not B.” Therefore, 不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo) means “not bending (不屈) and not yielding (不挠).” This repetition creates a powerful, rhythmic statement of absolute refusal to be defeated.
Cultural Context and Significance
Cultural Value: In Chinese culture, endurance and perseverance are highly esteemed virtues. 不屈不挠 captures the pinnacle of this ideal. It is often used to describe national heroes who resisted invaders, revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed for their cause, or any individual who displays immense moral courage. This concept is deeply rooted in a history filled with tales of overcoming hardship and oppression. The spirit of 不屈不挠 is seen as a cornerstone of the nation's character.
Comparison to Western Concepts: While similar to the English idea of “grit” or “resilience,” 不屈不挠 carries a heavier, more epic connotation. “Grit” often relates to achieving personal, long-term goals (like in business or academics). 不屈不挠, however, is more frequently associated with a struggle against a powerful, external force—be it a political regime, a natural disaster, or a debilitating illness. It has a flavor of righteous defiance and moral strength, whereas “resilience” can be a more neutral psychological term. You wouldn't just have 不屈不挠 spirit to finish a marathon; you'd have it to fight for your country's freedom.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality: This is a formal and literary idiom. It is most appropriate for written language, official speeches, news reports, documentaries, and situations where you want to offer high praise. It's rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.
Connotation: It is overwhelmingly positive and carries a strong sense of admiration and respect. Calling someone 不屈不挠 is a profound compliment to their character.
Common Contexts:
Praising Role Models: Describing athletes who overcome career-threatening injuries, scientists who persist through countless failed experiments, or activists who fight for social justice.
Historical Narratives: Used frequently in textbooks and movies to describe the spirit of the Chinese people during wars or difficult periods in history.
Corporate Culture: Sometimes used in company slogans or speeches to inspire employees to persevere through economic downturns or tough competition, embodying the “fighting spirit” (奋斗精神 - fèndòu jīngshén).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
面对巨大的困难，她展现出了不屈不挠的精神。
Pinyin: Miànduì jùdà de kùnnan, tā zhǎnxiàn chūle bùqūbùnáo de jīngshén.
English: Facing enormous difficulties, she displayed an indomitable spirit.
Analysis: This is a classic and common usage. The term describes “精神” (jīngshén - spirit), highlighting an admirable quality.
Example 2:
革命先烈们不屈不挠的斗争，为我们换来了今天的好生活。
Pinyin: Gémìng xiānlièmen bùqūbùnáo de dòuzhēng, wèi wǒmen huàn láile jīntiān de hǎo shēnghuó.
English: The unyielding struggle of the revolutionary martyrs has won us the good life we have today.
Analysis: Here, it's used to describe “斗争” (dòuzhēng - struggle), emphasizing the heroic nature of a historical event.
Example 3:
这位运动员在多次受伤后，依然不屈不挠地回到了赛场。
Pinyin: Zhè wèi yùndòngyuán zài duōcì shòushāng hòu, yīrán bùqūbùnáo de huí dào le sàichǎng.
English: After being injured many times, this athlete tenaciously returned to the competition field.
Analysis: Used as an adverb (不屈不挠地) to modify the verb phrase “returned to the field,” showing the manner of the action.
Example 4:
经过多年的研究，科学家们不屈不挠，终于攻克了技术难题。
Pinyin: Jīngguò duōnián de yánjiū, kēxuéjiāmen bùqūbùnáo, zhōngyú gōngkè le jìshù nántí.
English: After many years of research, the scientists persevered and finally overcame the technical challenge.
Analysis: Here it acts as a standalone predicate, describing the scientists' state of being throughout their research.
English: Although the company faced bankruptcy, the leadership team was unyielding and led everyone out of the difficult situation.
Analysis: A good example of its use in a business context to inspire or praise.
Example 6:
在敌人的威逼利诱下，他始终不屈不挠。
Pinyin: Zài dírén de wēibī lìyòu xià, tā shǐzhōng bùqūbùnáo.
English: Under the enemy's threats and temptations, he always remained indomitable.
Analysis: This sentence highlights the moral courage aspect, resisting both negative pressure (threats) and positive pressure (temptations).
Example 7:
小草从石缝里钻出来，展现了不屈不挠的生命力。
Pinyin: Xiǎo cǎo cóng shí fèng lǐ zuān chūlái, zhǎnxiàn le bùqūbùnáo de shēngmìnglì.
English: The small grass drilled out from the crack in the rock, showing its tenacious life force.
Analysis: This is a metaphorical use, applying the term to nature to create a poetic and inspiring image.
Example 8:
我们要学习他那种不屈不挠、坚持到底的作风。
Pinyin: Wǒmen yào xuéxí tā nà zhǒng bùqūbùnáo, jiānchí dàodǐ de zuòfēng.
English: We need to learn from his style of being indomitable and persevering to the very end.
Analysis: Used to describe a “作风” (zuòfēng - style, way of doing things), holding it up as an example to be emulated.
Example 9:
他与病魔进行了不屈不挠的抗争。
Pinyin: Tā yǔ bìngmó jìnxíng le bùqūbùnáo de kàngzhēng.
English: He waged an unyielding fight against his illness (lit: “the demon of sickness”).
Analysis: A common and powerful way to describe someone's fight against a serious disease.
Example 10:
只有不屈不挠的人，才能最终攀上成功的顶峰。
Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu bùqūbùnáo de rén, cáinéng zuìzhōng pān shàng chénggōng de dǐngfēng.
English: Only those who are indomitable can ultimately climb to the peak of success.
Analysis: A philosophical sentence that presents 不屈不挠 as a necessary condition for achieving great success.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using it for Trivial Matters.
A common mistake for learners is to use this powerful idiom for minor inconveniences. It's reserved for significant struggles.
Incorrect: 我排队等了三个小时买奶茶，真是不屈不挠。 (Wǒ páiduì děngle sān ge xiǎoshí mǎi nǎichá, zhēnshi bùqūbùnáo.) → “I waited in line for three hours for bubble tea, I'm so indomitable.”
Why it's wrong: This sounds sarcastic or comical. Waiting for bubble tea is an annoyance, not a heroic struggle. The situation lacks the gravity that 不屈不挠 requires.
Mistake 2: Confusing it with Stubbornness (固执 - gùzhí).
While both words mean “unyielding,” their connotations are worlds apart.
不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo): Positive. Implies a principled, noble, and admirable resistance to adversity. It's about strength of character.
固执 (gùzhí): Usually negative. Means stubborn, obstinate, or pig-headed. It implies someone is unreasonably resistant to good advice, new ideas, or changing their mind.
Example: An old man who refuses to see a doctor out of fear is 固执 (gùzhí). A cancer patient who continues with painful treatment with a hopeful spirit is 不屈不挠 (bùqūbùnáo).
Related Terms and Concepts
坚持不懈 (jiānchí bùxiè) - A close synonym meaning “to persevere unremittingly.” It focuses more on the continuous, non-stop nature of an effort.
百折不挠 (bǎizhé bùnáo) - A very close synonym meaning “to not be thwarted even after a hundred setbacks.” It is virtually interchangeable with 不屈不挠.
坚韧不拔 (jiānrèn bùbá) - A synonym meaning “firm, tough, and unshakeable.” It emphasizes the tough and durable quality of one's character.
毅力 (yìlì) - Willpower, stamina, perseverance. This is the personal quality or attribute that allows a person to be 不屈不挠.
精神 (jīngshén) - Spirit, essence, mind. 不屈不挠 is often used to describe a type of admirable spirit (e.g., 不屈不挠的精神).
英雄 (yīngxióng) - Hero. Heroes are the quintessential examples of people who embody the 不屈不挠 spirit.
固执 (gùzhí) - A spiritual antonym. Describes stubbornness, which is the negative and unreasonable form of being unyielding.
放弃 (fàngqì) - A direct antonym. To give up, to abandon.
奋斗 (fèndòu) - To struggle, to strive. The action that someone with a 不屈不挠 spirit takes.