📖 Meaning
The kindness or grace one has received is so immense that even the utmost devotion could only repay a ten-thousandth of it. It expresses deep gratitude and humility, acknowledging that a benefactor's favor is beyond full recompense.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from Chapter 18 of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦), written by Cao Xueqin during the Qing dynasty. In the passage, the author describes the boundless grace of the reigning emperor as so vast and unprecedented that even sacrificing oneself entirely could not repay even a ten-thousandth of it. The phrase has since been used to express profound gratitude and humility when acknowledging a kindness too great to repay in full.
💡 Example Usage
承蒙先生多年栽培，学生纵粉身碎骨，也难报效万一。
Having been nurtured by you for so many years, even if I were shattered to pieces, I could scarcely repay a ten-thousandth of your kindness.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 报效万一
- Pinyin: bào xiào wàn yī
- Literal Translation: repay, serve, ten-thousand, one
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4