身残志坚
shēn cán zhì jiān
disabled in body but firm in will
Character by character
身shēn
body
body
残cán
disabled
disabled
志zhì
will
will
坚jiān
firm
firm
Example
这位身残志坚的运动员失去了一条腿，却在残奥会上拿了两块金牌。
This athlete, who lost a leg but never lost heart, won two gold medals at the Paralympics.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
The stock word of praise in Chinese media and official speeches for people with disabilities who achieve something. Many disabled people find it wearing, because it treats disability as an obstacle to be heroically overcome; it is said about others and rarely of oneself.
Learn this in Lesson 164 · HSK 7–9: 看不见的世界 (A world without sight)
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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