精衛填海 jīng wèi tián hǎi

determination in the face of impossible odds

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
精 jīng HSK 4
essence; elite; proficient (refined ability)
衛 wèi
abbr. for 卫生wèi shēng, hygiene; health; to guard
填 tián HSK 4
(of a form etc) to fill in; to fill or stuff
海 hǎi HSK 4
ocean; sea; great number of people or things