find it difficult to take a step; make slow progress
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to find it difficult to take a step; to have great difficulty making progress
formalUsed metaphorically to describe situations where progress is slow and difficult, often due to obstacles, lack of resources, or challenging circumstances. Suitable for both written and formal spoken contexts.
Yóu由
yú于
zī资
jīn金
duǎn短
quē缺
，
zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
jǔ举
bù步
wéi维
jiān艰
。
Due to a shortage of funds, this project is struggling to make progress.
Zài在
chóng重
chóng重
kùn困
nán难
miàn面
qián前
，
tā他
zhǐ只
néng能
jǔ举
bù步
wéi维
jiān艰
de地
xiàng向
qián前
zǒu走
。
Facing numerous difficulties, he could only move forward with great hardship.
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Zhè这
jiā家
qǐ企
yè业
zài在
shì市
chǎng场
jìng竞
zhēng争
zhōng中
jǔ举
bù步
wéi维
jiān艰
，
zuì最
zhōng终
bù不
dé得
bù不
xuān宣
bù布
pò破
chǎn产
。
The company struggled to survive in the market competition and eventually had to declare bankruptcy.
Chū初
xué学
zhě者
zài在
xué学
hàn汉
zì字
shí时
cháng常
cháng常
gǎn感
dào到
jǔ举
bù步
wéi维
jiān艰
。
Beginners often find it very difficult to make progress when learning Chinese characters.