锲而不舍
qiè ér bù shě
to keep chipping away
Character by character
锲qiè
carve
carve
而ér
and
and
不bù
not
not
舍shě
let go
let go
Example
只要锲而不舍，再难的问题也能解决。
As long as you keep chipping away, even the hardest problem can be solved.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
From Xunzi's 'Exhortation to Learning' (《荀子·劝学》): keep carving and even metal and stone can be engraved.
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