精卫填海 jīng wèi tián hǎi

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. mythical bird Jingwei tries to fill the ocean with stones (idiom); futile ambition
  2. task of Sisyphus
  3. determination in the face of impossible odds

CHARACTERS

精 jīng
HSK 4
essence; semen; spirit
卫 wèi
HSK 4
guard, protect, defend
填 tián
HSK 4
fill in, fill up; make good
海 hǎi
HSK 4
sea, ocean; maritime