傲雪凌霜
ào xuě líng shuāng
to stand proud against snow and frost; (of a person) unbowed by hardship
Character by character
傲ào
defy
defy
雪xuě
snow
snow
凌líng
brave
brave
霜shuāng
frost
frost
Example
老人一辈子吃了很多苦，却像傲雪凌霜的梅花一样，从来没有低过头。
The old man suffered a great deal in his life, yet like the plum braving snow and frost he never once bowed his head.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Said above all of the plum, and also of the chrysanthemum and the pine; of people it praises integrity under pressure. The order can be swapped: 凌霜傲雪 is also used.
Learn this in Lesson 169 · HSK 7–9: 市花与市树 (City flowers and city trees)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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