Chinese idiom 半途而废

Review Chinese Idioms With Easy Explanations & Learning Activities 

半途而废 bàn tú ér fèi

 

Chinese idiom 半途而废 bantuerfei Mandarin Chengyu meanings

 

 

Learning Chinese idioms (成语) can be a fun and meaningful way to understand Chinese language and culture. It is however, not easy for children learning Chinese and English speakers to understand what they mean. And, Chinese idioms dictionaries often have explanations that need explanations themselves.

 

Not to worry! We have carefully written clear explanations in English for you. We have also added the equivalent English idioms and expressions so it’s super easy to understand! By the end of this blog post, you would have learned one more Chinese idiom!

 

Let’s dive into the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi), the phrase which teaches us the dangers of giving up halfway. It’s a warning against wasted effort and a reminder that perseverance leads to success. From students struggling with their studies to professionals facing challenges, this idiom has universal relevance.

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Literal Meaning

The literal translation of the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) in English is “Halfway through the journey, then wasted.”

 

Definition

The Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) is used to describe someone who abandons a job or task halfway, leaving it unfinished or stops trying.

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Similar English Idioms 相似英文习语

  • To give up: to stop doing something before you have finished it, usually because it is too difficult.
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  • To throw in the towel: to stop trying to do something because you have realized that you cannot succeed or to admit that you are defeated.
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    This expression of course derives from boxing. When a boxer is suffering a beating and his corner wants to stop the fight they literally throw in the towel to indicate that they have conceded the fight.
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    To throw in the towel (or, to throw the towel in) is to give up, to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat. - Chinese idiom 半途而废 bantuerfei Mandarin Chengyu meanings synonyms
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  • To drop the ball: To “drop the ball” is a pretty common idiomatic expression that means to fail in one’s responsibilities or duties, make a mistake, or simply let someone down. You’ll see it used in contexts where someone didn’t live up to the expectations of others or didn’t complete something the way they should have.
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    The origin of the phrase “drop the ball” is rooted in sports, specifically baseball. In the game of baseball, when a fielder drops a ball that should have been caught, it’s considered a major error, which leads to a negative consequence for the team.
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By connecting these relatable expressions in English with the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (ban tu er fei), children and language learners can better understand the cultural and linguistic nuances.

 

Example 例句

Let’s see how this idiom can be used:

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中文:我们就快到达山顶了!不能为了你想念你的泰迪熊而半途而废!这样我们的努力都白费了!

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Pinyin:Wǒ men jiù kuài dào dá shān dǐng le! Bù néng wéi le nǐ xiǎng niàn nǐ de tài dí xióng ér bàn tú ér fèi! Zhè yàng wǒ men de nǔ lì dōu bái fèi le!

English translation:We’re almost at the mountaintop! We can’t abandon the journey just because you miss your teddy bear! That would wipe out all our hard work!

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The opposite of The Chinese Idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) is

愚公移山 (Yú gōng yí shān)

The ancient tale of 愚公移山 (Yú gōng yí shān) illustrates the opposite of 半途而废(bàn tú ér fèi) . The old man, known as 愚公 (Yú gōng), worked hard to remove two massive mountains blocking his village.

Day after day, he never gave up on this Mission Impossible. His perseverance eventually inspired the deities, who then moved the mountains for him.

Had Yu Gong given up halfway, his efforts would have been wasted. His village would forever be blocked by the mountains. This story emphasizes the power of persistence and the importance of not giving up.

Here’s an animated video about the story. You can watch it to better understand how determined Yu Gong was.

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By referencing the Chinese traditional story, children or Chinese learners can gain a clearer understanding of the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) and the importance of never giving up.

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Related Idioms

To deepen your understanding, here are some similar idioms 相似词:

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And here are a few opposing expressions 相反词:

  • 有头有尾 (yǒu tóu yǒu wěi): To finish what you start.
  • 有始有终 (yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng): To see something through from beginning to end.

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These terms provide a fuller understanding of the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) and how to describe opposing situations.

 

 

 

Easy Learning Activities for Kids

Want to make learning this idiom even more enjoyable? Here are a few fun activities:

  • Watch the Draw-along Chengyu Video featuring Dim Sum Warriors’ cartoonist and teacher. Together, they bring the story of the Chinese idiom 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) to life through engaging visuals and interesting background stories. Let’s draw the characters, learn the meanings, and listen to the stories all at once!

5Chinese idiom 半途而废 bantuerfei Mandarin Chengyu meanings english bilingual tutoring videoNOTE: This content is exclusively for members. Not a member yet?  Sign up here and unlock a treasure trove of fun and educational materials.

 

Story Role-Play – Move the Mountain:

  • Objective: Teach the concept of perseverance through the story of 愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān).
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  • Activity:
    • Act out the story of 愚公移山 (yú gōng yí shān), stopping at the point where Yu Gong might give up.
    • Ask “What would happen if Yu Gong chose to 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi)?”
    • Discuss

 

In a world filled with distractions, 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi) reminds us of the importance of commitment. From ancient tales like 愚公移山 to our modern lives, the message is clear: persistence is the key to overcoming challenges.

When the going gets tough, remember that giving up halfway wastes not only effort but also the opportunity to achieve something remarkable. Let’s aim for 有始有终 (yǒu shǐ yǒu zhōng) and make every journey count!

 

 

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