卧冰求鲤 — “To lie on ice to catch carp”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 卧冰求鲤?

卧在冰上以求得鲤鱼。指忍苦孝亲

卧冰求鲤 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to lie on ice to catch carp”. Symbolizing extreme filial piety and self-sacrifice for one's parents, often enduring great hardship. Literally, “Lying on ice to seek carp”.

Frequency

卧冰求鲤 Pronunciation and Pinyin

卧冰求鲤 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
卧	wò	8	lie down or crouch
冰	bīng	6	ice; to chill; pure
求	qiú	7	seek, beg, demand
鲤	lǐ	15	carp

Example Sentence with 卧冰求鲤

他为了完成对家庭的承诺，即使面对重重困难也始终坚持，这种卧冰求鲤的精神令人敬佩

To fulfill his commitment to his family, he persevered despite numerous difficulties, and this spirit of enduring hardship for others is truly admirable.

Origin and Story of 卧冰求鲤

During the Jin Dynasty, Wang Xiang, from Linyi, Langya, was exceptionally filial towards his parents. When his parents fell ill, he would serve them without ever loosening his clothes, always tasting their medicine himself before giving it to them.

One winter, his mother longed for fresh fish. It was the middle of winter, and the rivers were frozen.

Wang Xiang took off his clothes and tried to break the ice. Suddenly, the ice on the river melted, and carp leaped out by themselves. He quickly caught them and returned home to honor his parents.