苏武牧羊 — “To remain steadfast and unyielding in the face of adversity”

苏武牧羊 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to remain steadfast and unyielding in the face of adversity”. Enduring great hardship while maintaining one's integrity and loyalty, inspired by the historical figure Su Wu who endured 19 years of exile tending sheep rather than surrendering. Literally, “Su Wu tends sheep”.

Frequency

苏武牧羊 Pronunciation and Pinyin

苏武牧羊 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
苏	sū	8	revive, recover, wake up
武	wǔ	8	martial, military, brave
牧	mù	8	to herd, govern, or manage
羊	yáng	6	sheep or goat

Example Sentence with 苏武牧羊

他独自一人在外漂泊多年，饱受生活的磨砺，却始终坚守初心，这种精神正如苏武牧羊般令人敬佩。

He wandered alone for many years, enduring the trials of life, yet always adhered to his original aspirations. This spirit, like Su Wu tending sheep, is truly admirable.

Origin and Story of 苏武牧羊

During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu dispatched his minister Su Wu and others as envoys to the Western Regions to reconcile with the Xiongnu Chanyu. However, due to the rebellion of a Han general who had defected, the Chanyu became furious and detained Su Wu and his delegation, attempting to persuade them to surrender.

Su Wu, preferring death over dishonor, resolutely refused to yield. He was subsequently forced to become a slave of the Xiongnu, tending sheep on the vast grasslands.

It was only after 19 arduous years that he finally returned to the Han Dynasty.