📖 Meaning
An ancient Chinese myth about the giant Kua Fu who chased the sun but died of thirst before catching it. It metaphorically describes someone with relentless determination and grand ambition in pursuit of a goal, even an seemingly impossible one.
📜 Origin Story
Originating from the ancient myth recorded in 'Shan Hai Jing' (Classic of Mountains and Seas), the giant Kua Fu raced after the sun, hoping to catch it, but perished from thirst along the way. Mao Zedong cited this myth in 'On Contradiction' as an example of how ancient myths reflect subjective, imagined transformations of real-world contradictions. The story has become a symbol of unyielding perseverance and the human spirit of striving against impossible odds.
💡 Example Usage
他以夸父追日般的毅力攻克了一个又一个技术难题。
He conquered one technical challenge after another with the relentless perseverance of Kua Fu chasing the sun.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 夸父追日
- Pinyin: kuā fù zhuī rì
- Literal Translation: Kua Fu, chase, sun
- Category: Perseverance
- Characters: 4