Chinese idiom · 成语
坚韧不拔
Meaning
Steadfast and unyielding; resolute endurance.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary usageThis expression describes a will that remains strong under pressure. A closely related earlier form, jian ren bu ba written 堅忍不拔, appears in Su Shi's essay on Chao Cuo. Su argues that accomplishing great undertakings requires not only unusual talent but also an unshakably enduring purpose.
The modern spelling here uses 韧, suggesting toughness and resilience, instead of 忍, endurance. Zhejiang A&F University's explanation of the two forms cites Ding Ling's writing about the people of Beidahuang for 坚韧不拔. These are related formulations of steadfastness, not evidence that Su Shi used the exact modern characters. No separate founding anecdote is established for this spelling.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
求职屡次碰壁，她仍然坚韧不拔，继续学习和投简历。
Despite repeated setbacks in her job search, she remained resilient and kept learning and sending applications.
Praises sustained resolve through obstacles; 韧 is fourth tone.