精衛填海 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 essence; semen; spirit
衛 wèi guard, protect, defend
填 tián fill in, fill up; make good
海 hǎi sea, ocean; maritime