# 披星戴月

pī xīng dài yuè

Travel or toil from early until late

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Wear stars and carry the moon

**Register:** Respectful · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe long hours of demanding activity.

May praise dedication while concealing unhealthy overwork.

## Understanding the expression

Stars and moon mark the hours when many people rest. Wearing them suggests someone still traveling or working under the night sky. Modern use describes long, tiring schedules that begin early or continue late. Farmers, delivery workers, and people on demanding journeys are common subjects. It can praise commitment, but the hardship remains part of the image. Rest and fair conditions matter even when a person's effort deserves respect.

## Examples

她披星戴月地送货。

### Traditional Chinese

她披星戴月地送貨。

tā pī xīng dài yuè dì sòng huò 。

She delivers goods from early until late.

父亲每天披星戴月往返工地。

### Traditional Chinese

父親每天披星戴月往返工地。

fù qīn měi tiān pī xīng dài yuè wǎng fǎn gōng dì 。

Father travels to and from the site before dawn and after dark.

他们披星戴月赶到灾区。

### Traditional Chinese

他們披星戴月趕到災區。

tā men pī xīng dài yuè gǎn dào zāi qū 。

They traveled through the night to reach the disaster area.

农忙时，村民披星戴月地劳动。

### Traditional Chinese

農忙時，村民披星戴月地勞動。

nóng máng shí ， cūn mín pī xīng dài yuè dì láo dòng 。

During busy farming seasons, villagers work long hours.

## 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=%E6%8A%AB%E6%98%9F%E6%88%B4%E6%9C%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=215&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [疲于奔命 pí yú bēn mìng Exhausted by constantly responding to demands ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/pi-yu-ben-ming)

- [迫不及待 pò bù jí dài Be too eager to wait ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/po-bu-ji-dai)

- [千方百计 qiān fāng bǎi jì Try every possible method ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qian-fang-bai-ji)

- [前功尽弃 qián gōng jìn qì Lose the value of all previous effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qian-gong-jin-qi)

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