知其不可而为之 zhī qí bù kě ér wéi zhī

try even when you know you will fail

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to keep going resolutely despite knowing the task is impossible (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
其 qí HSK 3
its; their; it (refers to sth preceding it)
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
可 kě HSK 2
can; may; able to
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
为 wéi HSK 2
for; because of; to
之 zhī HSK 4
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的de); it