Hello, hello, my dear friends! It’s great to be back with you all, ready to plunge into another amazing journey into the world of Chinese idioms, or as we call them here in Taiwan, Chengyu. Today’s special guest is a phrase that I’m sure many of us can relate to – “半途而廢” (Bàntú’érfèi).
But before we get into that, let me share a little story with you.
So, the other day, I decided to try out a new recipe I found online for pineapple cakes – a beloved Taiwanese treat. I was all fired up, ready to put my baking skills to the test. I mixed the ingredients, rolled out the dough, and was halfway through when I realized I’d run out of pineapple jam! In my enthusiasm, I’d forgotten to check if I had enough ingredients. I was left with a kitchen full of semi-prepared pineapple cakes.
Talk about a real-life “半途而廢” moment!
Now, you might be wondering, “What does this Chengyu mean?” Well, let’s find out!
Definition of 半途而廢
Traditional: 半途而廢
Simplified: 半途而废
Pinyin: Bàntú’érfèi
English: To give up halfway
“半途而廢” literally means to stop halfway. It’s used to describe situations where someone starts something with great enthusiasm but then abandons it before completion, just like I did with the pineapple cake. The idiom paints a picture of inconsistency and lack of perseverance, traits that are generally looked down upon.
History of 半途而廢
This idiom has a rich history that dates back to ancient China. It’s said to originate from a story in the “Liji·Zhongyong” (禮記·中庸), a Confucian text, where the term is used to express the idea of giving up on one’s path. But the essence of “半途而廢” was best exemplified in a story from the Eastern Han Dynasty about a virtuous woman known as the wife of Le Yangzi.
When Le Yangzi abandoned his scholarly pursuits after a year, his wife used the metaphor of cutting off a silk thread mid-weave to persuade him to resume his studies. She argued that just like the silk thread that becomes useless if cut off halfway, his learning would be in vain if he gave up before achieving his goals.
Modern Usage of 半途而廢
“半途而廢” is often used in contemporary Mandarin to express dissatisfaction or criticism towards someone who lacks persistence or gives up easily. It has a derogatory connotation and is used as a verb, adverb, adjective, or complement in a sentence. So, the next time someone you know starts a task with great fervor but quickly loses interest, feel free to drop a “半途而廢” on them!
Just remember to say it with a smile so they know it’s all in good fun.
Examples Sentences for the Idiom 半途而廢
Here are three examples of how to use the idiom “半途而廢”:
1. 他總是很容易興奮地開始新的項目，但不久就會半途而廢。
2. 她試著學習法語，但半途而廢，因為她覺得太難了。
3. 為了避免半途而廢，他每天都堅持運動。
1. Tā zǒng shì hěn róngyì xīngfèn de kāishǐ xīn de xiàngmù, dàn bùjiǔ jiù huì bàntú’érfèi.
2. Tā shìzhe xuéxí fǎyǔ, dàn bàntú’érfèi, yīnwèi tā juédé tài nánle.
Wèile bìmiǎn bàntú’érfèi, tā měitiān dōu jiānchí yùndòng.
1. 他总是很容易兴奋地开始新的项目，但不久就会半途而废。
2. 她试着学习法语，但半途而废，因为她觉得太难了。
3. 为了避免半途而废，他每天都坚持运动。
1. He always starts new projects with great enthusiasm, but he tends to give up halfway.
2. She tried to learn French but gave up halfway because she found it too difficult.
3. To avoid giving up halfway, he insists on exercising every day.
Want more Chinese proverbs? Check my list of twenty popular Chinese idioms!
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Awesome!