啮雪餐毡 — “To endure extreme hardship and deprivation”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 啮雪餐毡?

比喻困境中的艰难生活。

啮雪餐毡 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to endure extreme hardship and deprivation”. Often symbolizing a tough and impoverished life under difficult circumstances, much like the historical figure Su Wu who survived by gnawing snow and eating felt. Literally, “gnaw snow, eat felt”.

Frequency

啮雪餐毡 Pronunciation and Pinyin

啮雪餐毡 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
啮	niè	11	bite or gnaw
雪	xuě	11	snow
餐	cān	16	eat, meal, dine
毡	zhān	9	felt fabric

Example Sentence with 啮雪餐毡

他虽然身处逆境，过着啮雪餐毡的日子，却从未放弃心中的理想和对知识的追求。

Though he found himself in adverse circumstances, leading a life of gnawing snow and eating felt, he never abandoned his ideals and his quest for knowledge.

Origin and Story of 啮雪餐毡

During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu dispatched the minister Su Wu and others as envoys to the Western Regions to reconcile with the Xiongnu Chanyu. However, due to the rebellion of a surrendered Han general, the Chanyu grew furious and detained Su Wu and his companions.

Su Wu was confined to a large cellar. To survive, he had to gnaw on snow and eat felt. He firmly refused to surrender.

Subsequently, he was forced into slavery, tending sheep on the vast steppes of the Xiongnu. After nineteen years of immense suffering, he finally returned to the Han Dynasty, his loyalty unwavering.

This idiom, 'gnawing snow and eating felt,' vividly describes the extreme hardship and deprivation Su Wu endured during his prolonged captivity, embodying his unyielding spirit.