📖 Meaning
This idiom indicates that the days ahead will be filled with great difficulties and hardships. It conveys an anticipation of severe trouble on the road ahead, urging awareness and preparation for future adversity.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom comes from the Three Kingdoms period, specifically from a poem titled 'Shan Zai Xing' (善哉行) by Cao Zhi (曹植) of the Wei state. The original line reads: '来日大难，口燥唇干；今日相乐，皆当喜欢' — meaning great hardships lie ahead and one's mouth grows dry with worry, so one should cherish the happiness of today. Cao Zhi was a celebrated poet and a son of the warlord Cao Cao, a leading figure of the Jian'an literary movement. The phrase later became a standalone idiom denoting impending severe difficulties.
💡 Example Usage
面对来日大难，我们必须提前做好充分的准备。
Facing great hardships ahead, we must make thorough preparations in advance.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 来日大难
- Pinyin: lái rì dà nàn
- Literal Translation: coming, days, great, hardship
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4