磨砖成镜 — “To attempt a futile or impossible task”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 磨砖成镜?

把砖石磨成镜子。比喻事情不能成功。

磨砖成镜 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to attempt a futile or impossible task”. To try to achieve something by inappropriate or ineffective means; a pointless endeavor. Literally, “grind a brick into a mirror”.

Frequency

磨砖成镜 Pronunciation and Pinyin

磨砖成镜 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
磨	mó	16	grind, rub, or polish
砖	zhuān	9	brick
成	chéng	7	to become or succeed
镜	jìng	16	mirror, lens, or glasses

Example Sentence with 磨砖成镜

妄想通过走捷径来取得成功，无异于磨砖成镜，最终只会一无所获

Trying to achieve success by taking shortcuts is like grinding a brick into a mirror; it will ultimately lead to nothing.

Origin and Story of 磨砖成镜

During the Kaiyuan reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, there was an eminent monk named Daoyi who resided in Chuanfa Temple. He diligently practiced Chan meditation every day, seeking enlightenment.

Master Huineng observed him and asked what he aimed to achieve by meditating all day. Daoyi replied that he sought to become a Buddha.

Master Huineng then picked up a brick inside the hermitage and began grinding it against a stone. Daoyi, puzzled, asked what he was doing.

Master Huineng replied, "I am trying to grind this brick into a mirror." Daoyi exclaimed, "How can a brick be ground into a mirror?"

Huineng then enlightened him, saying, "If a brick cannot be ground into a mirror, then how can sitting meditation alone make you a Buddha?"

This story illustrates that true enlightenment comes from understanding one's nature, not merely from the physical act of sitting.