聚螢映雪 jù yíng yìng xuě

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to collect fireflies and study by their light (idiom); fig. ambitious student from impoverished background
  2. burning the midnight oil

CHARACTERS

聚 jù assemble, meet together, collect
螢 yíng glow-worm, luminous insect
映 yìng project; reflect light
雪 xuě snow; wipe away shame, avenge