Chinese idiom · 成语
木已成舟
Meaning
Wood already a boat; a done deal.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary metaphorThe literal picture is timber already fashioned into a boat: a material decision has been carried through, and wishing otherwise cannot restore the original piece of wood. A documented use occurs in chapter nine of the Qing novel Yesou Puyan. Lady Shui is upset about her son's taking a concubine. After hearing her daughter-in-law explain the situation, she reluctantly recognizes that it is difficult to reverse.
The dictionary treats that passage as a possible source, not proof of the phrase's first invention. The expression describes a settled fact, commonly with regret or resignation; it does not mean every consequence is beyond improvement.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
合同已经生效，木已成舟，我们只能商量下一步怎么办。
The contract has already taken effect; what's done is done, so we can only discuss what to do next.
Describes an already settled situation, often reluctantly.