# 不屈不挠

bù qū bù náo

Remain determined despite pressure or setbacks

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Neither yield nor bend

**Traditional Chinese:** 不屈不撓

**Register:** Positive · general

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise sustained resistance or perseverance.

Resolve should remain responsive to evidence and safety.

## Understanding the expression

Yielding and bending both suggest giving way under pressure, and the expression denies both. It praises someone who continues despite hardship, opposition, or repeated setbacks. Campaigners, learners, and survivors can all fit the description. The favorable sense concerns commitment to a worthwhile goal. It does not require repeating a failed method forever; changing tactics while preserving the goal can show stronger perseverance than refusing every practical adjustment offered by circumstances.

## Examples

她不屈不挠地争取合法权益。

### Traditional Chinese

她不屈不撓地爭取合法權益。

tā bù qū bù náo dì zhēng qǔ hé fǎ quán yì 。

She persistently fought for her lawful rights.

他不屈不挠，继续练习康复动作。

### Traditional Chinese

他不屈不撓，繼續練習康復動作。

tā bù qū bù náo ， jì xù liàn xí kāng fù dòng zuò 。

He persevered with rehabilitation exercises.

研究团队不屈不挠，终于找到原因。

### Traditional Chinese

研究團隊不屈不撓，終於找到原因。

yán jiū tuán duì bù qū bù náo ， zhōng yú zhǎo dào yuán yīn 。

The persistent research team finally found the cause.

孩子不屈不挠地学会了骑车。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子不屈不撓地學會了騎車。

hái zi bù qū bù náo dì xué huì le qí chē 。

The child persevered until learning to ride.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E5%B1%88%E4%B8%8D%E6%92%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=598&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [不学无术 bù xué wú shù Ignorant and lacking useful skills ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-xue-wu-shu)

- [不遗余力 bù yí yú lì Put every available effort into something ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-yi-yu-li)

- [乘风破浪 chéng fēng pò làng Advance boldly through difficulties ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/cheng-feng-po-lang)

- [持之以恒 chí zhī yǐ héng Maintain an effort consistently ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chi-zhi-yi-heng)

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