qiè
锲
carve; engrave; chisel
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to carve; to engrave; to chisel (metal, stone, or bone)
literaryPrimarily used in literary or classical contexts. Most commonly encountered in the idiom 锲而不舍, meaning to persevere with unwavering determination (literally "to keep carving without giving up"). The literal sense of carving is rare in modern spoken Chinese.
Qiè锲
ér而
bù不
shě舍
，
jīn金
shí石
kě可
lòu镂
。
If you keep carving without giving up, even metal and stone can be engraved.
Gǔ古
rén人
yǐ以
qiè锲
kè刻
wén文
zì字
yú于
jiǎ甲
gǔ骨
zhī之
shàng上
，
yǐ以
jì记
dà大
shì事
。
Ancient people carved characters onto oracle bones to record important events.
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Tā他
zuò做
shì事
yǒu有
qiè锲
ér而
bù不
shě舍
de的
jīng精
shén神
，
zhōng终
huò获
chéng成
gōng功
。
He approaches his work with the spirit of perseverance and ultimately achieves success.
Cǐ此
bēi碑
nǎi乃
jiàng匠
rén人
xì细
xì细
qiè锲
kè刻
ér而
chéng成
，
bǐ笔
lì力
qiú遒
jìng劲
。
This stele was carefully chiseled by craftsmen, with vigorous calligraphic strength.