grind through an iron inkstone; study with perseverance
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to grind through an iron inkstone; to study with perseverance and diligence
literaryOriginally alludes to the legend of Sang Weihan, a scholar from the Five Dynasties period who reportedly ground through an iron inkstone while studying. Now used to describe persistent, diligent study habits. Often used in formal or literary contexts to praise someone’s dedication to learning.
Gǔ古
rén人
mó磨
chuān穿
tiě铁
yàn砚
de的
jīng精
shén神
，
zhí值
de得
wǒ我
men们
xué学
xí习
。
The spirit of grinding through an iron inkstone that the ancients possessed is worth our learning.
Yào要
xiǎng想
zài在
xué学
shù术
shàng上
yǒu有
suǒ所
chéng成
jiù就
，
bì必
xū须
yǒu有
mó磨
chuān穿
tiě铁
yàn砚
de的
yì毅
lì力
。
To achieve something in academia, one must have the perseverance to grind through an iron inkstone.
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Tā他
suī虽
nián年
shì事
yǐ已
gāo高
，
réng仍
měi每
rì日
kǔ苦
dú读
，
zhēn真
yǒu有
mó磨
chuān穿
tiě铁
yàn砚
zhī之
zhì志
。
Although advanced in years, he still studies hard every day—truly possessing the ambition to grind through an iron inkstone.