jiānchí bù xiè: 坚持不懈 - Persistent, Unremitting, Persevering

• Keywords: jianchibuxie, 坚持不懈, persevere, persistent, unremitting, never give up, Chinese idiom, how to say persevere in Chinese, jiānchí, bù, xiè, Chinese proverbs about persistence, chengyu, HSK 6.
• Summary: 坚持不懈 (jiānchí bù xiè) is a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) that means “to persevere unremittingly” or “to never give up.” This entry explores its meaning, its deep cultural significance in valuing hard work, and how to use it in modern Chinese to praise someone's dedication. Learn the difference between `坚持不懈` and the more common word `坚持` (jiānchí), and see how this concept of sustained, relentless effort is a cornerstone of Chinese values related to education, career, and personal growth.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiānchí bù xiè
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu), functions as an adverb or adjective.
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To persevere with a task or goal without slacking off or giving up.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine trying to learn a thousand new characters. `坚持不懈` is the spirit of studying every single day, even when it's difficult and progress feels slow. It’s not just about trying hard; it’s about sustained, relentless effort over a long period. This term carries a strong sense of admiration for someone's grit, determination, and refusal to slack off.

• 坚 (jiān): To hold firm; solid, strong. The top part (臤) represents a firm hand, and the bottom part (土) means earth or ground. Together, it paints a picture of something solid and unmoving.
• 持 (chí): To hold, to grasp, to maintain. The hand radical (扌) on the left clearly indicates an action done with the hand. The right side (寺) provides the sound.
• 不 (bù): A simple but powerful negative particle: not, no.
• 懈 (xiè): To be lazy, to slack off. The character is composed of the “heart” radical (心) at the bottom, indicating a state of mind, combined with other components suggesting laxity.

When combined, the meaning is exceptionally clear: 坚持 (jiānchí) means “to hold firmly,” and 不懈 (bù xiè) means “not slacking.” Therefore, `坚持不懈` literally means “to hold firm without slacking off.”

The concept of `坚持不懈` is a cornerstone of Chinese cultural values, deeply intertwined with the idea of 吃苦 (chī kǔ), or “eating bitterness.” This is the belief that enduring hardship and toil is not only necessary for success but is also a virtuous act that builds character. Unlike the Western concept of “grit,” which is often framed as a psychological trait for individual achievement, `坚持不懈` is more of a societal virtue. It's exemplified in famous parables that every child learns, such as:

• 愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān): “The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountains.” A story about a 90-year-old man who decides to dig away two mountains blocking his path. When mocked, he replies that his sons, grandsons, and their descendants will continue the work for generations until it is done. This story teaches that with `坚持不懈`, any seemingly impossible task can be accomplished.

This value is especially prominent in the context of education. The immense pressure of the 高考 (gāokǎo), the national college entrance exam, demands years of `坚持不懈` study from students. It's not just about being smart; it's about out-working everyone else through relentless effort. This term embodies the belief that hard work can often overcome a lack of natural talent.

`坚持不懈` is a formal and highly positive idiom. You'll hear it in speeches, read it in books and articles, and use it to give serious encouragement or praise.

• In Education: A teacher might praise a student: “你坚持不懈的学习精神值得大家学习。” (Your spirit of unremitting study is worth everyone learning from.)
• In Business: To describe a successful entrepreneur: “他凭借坚持不懈的努力，终于把公司做大了。” (Relying on his unremitting efforts, he finally grew the company.)
• In Personal Encouragement: If a friend is training for a marathon, you could say: “只要你坚持不懈，一定能跑完全程。” (As long as you persevere, you will definitely be able to finish the whole race.)

It is generally too formal for very casual, slangy conversation. In such cases, one might simply say 加油 (jiāyóu) or 继续努力 (jìxù nǔlì).

• Example 1:
  • 成功来自于坚持不懈的努力。
  • Pinyin: Chénggōng láizì yú jiānchí bù xiè de nǔlì.
  • English: Success comes from persistent and unremitting effort.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, almost textbook-like sentence that links success directly to the virtue of `坚持不懈`. It's often used as a motivational phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 他为了实现自己的梦想，坚持不懈地奋斗了十年。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile shíxiàn zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng, jiānchí bù xiè de fèndòu le shí nián.
  • English: In order to realize his dream, he struggled unremittingly for ten years.
  • Analysis: Here, `坚持不懈` functions as an adverb (地 turns it into an adverb) modifying the verb “奋斗” (to struggle). This emphasizes the *quality* of his struggle over a long period.
• Example 3:
  • 学习一门新语言需要坚持不懈的精神。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán xūyào jiānchí bù xiè de jīngshén.
  • English: Learning a new language requires a spirit of perseverance.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `坚持不懈` as an adjective to describe “精神” (jīngshén - spirit/mindset). It frames perseverance as an essential character trait for this task.
• Example 4:
  • 科学家们经过坚持不懈的研究，终于找到了治疗方法。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen jīngguò jiānchí bù xiè de yánjiū, zhōngyú zhǎodào le zhìliáo fāngfǎ.
  • English: After unremitting research, the scientists finally found a cure.
  • Analysis: This is a common pattern in formal or news contexts. “经过 (jīngguò) + [Effort] + 终于 (zhōngyú) + [Result]” is a great structure to learn.
• Example 5:
  • 只要我们坚持不懈，就一定能克服所有困难。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào wǒmen jiānchí bù xiè, jiù yīdìng néng kèfú suǒyǒu kùnnan.
  • English: As long as we persevere, we can certainly overcome all difficulties.
  • Analysis: This uses the common “只要…就…” (zhǐyào…jiù… - as long as…then…) structure, positioning `坚持不懈` as the key condition for success.
• Example 6:
  • 他的成功告诉我们，坚持不懈比天赋更重要。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng gàosù wǒmen, jiānchí bù xiè bǐ tiānfù gèng zhòngyào.
  • English: His success tells us that perseverance is more important than talent.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly states the cultural value discussed earlier. It's a powerful statement of belief in hard work.
• Example 7:
  • 她每天坚持不懈地练习弹钢琴，现在已经能弹奏复杂的曲子了。
  • Pinyin: Tā měitiān jiānchí bù xiè de liànxí tán gāngqín, xiànzài yǐjīng néng tánzòu fùzá de qǔzi le.
  • English: She practices piano unremittingly every day, and now she can play complex pieces.
  • Analysis: This provides a concrete, everyday example. The adverbial usage shows *how* she practices: not just practicing, but practicing relentlessly.
• Example 8:
  • 这个项目的成功，离不开团队每一个成员的坚持不懈。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de chénggōng, lìbukāi tuánduì měi yī gè chéngyuán de jiānchí bù xiè.
  • English: The success of this project was inseparable from the perseverance of every member of the team.
  • Analysis: “离不开 (lìbukāi)” means “cannot be separated from” or “relies heavily on.” This is a sophisticated way to attribute success to `坚持不懈`.
• Example 9:
  • 面对一次又一次的失败，他没有放弃，而是选择了坚持不懈。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì yī cì yòu yī cì de shībài, tā méiyǒu fàngqì, érshì xuǎnzé le jiānchí bù xiè.
  • English: Faced with failure again and again, he did not give up, but instead chose to persevere.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure powerfully contrasts giving up (“放弃”) with `坚持不懈`, highlighting it as a conscious choice.
• Example 10:
  • 我很佩服他那种坚持不懈、永不言败的态度。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn pèifú tā nà zhǒng jiānchí bù xiè, yǒng bù yán bài de tàidù.
  • English: I really admire his attitude of persevering and never saying die.
  • Analysis: Here, `坚持不懈` is paired with a similar idiom, “永不言败 (yǒng bù yán bài - never say die/defeat),” to create a very strong, descriptive phrase about someone's character.

• `坚持不懈` vs. `坚持` (jiānchí): This is the most important distinction.
  • `坚持 (jiānchí)` means “to persist” or “to insist.” It's a common verb and can be used for both long-term efforts (“我坚持每天跑步” - I persist in running every day) and short-term insistence (“我坚持要自己付钱” - I insist on paying myself).
  • `坚持不懈 (jiānchí bù xiè)` is a formal idiom used *only* for long-term, arduous endeavors. It carries a much stronger tone of admiration and emphasizes the “no slacking” aspect. You cannot use it for short-term insistence.
  • Incorrect: ~~我坚持不懈要自己付钱。~~ (Wǒ jiānchí bù xiè yào zìjǐ fùqián.) - Wrong. This is a one-time action, not a long-term struggle.
• `坚持不懈` vs. “Stubborn”: While both involve not giving up, `坚持不懈` is always a virtue. The Chinese word for “stubborn,” 固执 (gùzhí), is negative. It implies being rigid and unwilling to listen to reason, even when you are wrong. `坚持不懈` is about pursuing a worthy goal despite difficulties.

• 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) - A very close synonym meaning “to persevere steadfastly.” It's also a formal idiom used interchangeably with `坚持不懈` in many contexts.
• 坚持 (jiānchí) - The root word, meaning “to persist” or “insist.” It's the more common, everyday term.
• 努力 (nǔlì) - To make an effort, to try hard. This is the general term for effort. `坚持不懈` describes a specific, high-quality *type* of `努力`.
• 奋斗 (fèndòu) - To struggle, to strive. This term implies a greater sense of struggle and is often used for major life goals (career, revolution, etc.).
• 放弃 (fàngqì) - The primary antonym, meaning “to give up, to abandon.”
• 半途而废 (bàntú'érfèi) - A chengyu antonym meaning “to give up halfway.” This is the direct opposite of the spirit of `坚持不懈`.
• 愚公移山 (yúgōngyíshān) - “The Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountains.” A famous story that serves as the ultimate illustration of `坚持不懈`.
• 水滴石穿 (shuǐdīshíchuān) - “Dripping water penetrates stone.” An idiom that illustrates how small, persistent efforts can overcome great obstacles over time.
• 有始有终 (yǒushǐyǒuzhōng) - “To have a beginning and an end.” A related virtue about finishing what you start.