木梗之患 — “To die in a foreign land”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 木梗之患?

比喻客死他乡，不得复归故里。

木梗之患 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to die in a foreign land”. Far from one's hometown, and be unable to return for burial, often implying a tragic or lonely end. Literally, “the calamity of the wooden figurine”.

Frequency

木梗之患 Pronunciation and Pinyin

木梗之患 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
木	mù	4	tree, wood, wooden, dull, numb
梗	gěng	11	stem, stalk, gist, block
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
患	huàn	11	suffer from illness or disaster

Example Sentence with 木梗之患

他独自在外漂泊多年，最怕的就是身染重病，最终落得个木梗之患

He has wandered alone far from home for many years; his greatest fear is to fall seriously ill and ultimately suffer the misfortune of dying in a foreign land.

Origin and Story of 木梗之患

Lord Mengchang was preparing to go to the Qin State, ignoring numerous warnings. Su Qin also wished to dissuade him. Mengchang said, "I know all about human affairs; only matters of ghosts and spirits have I not heard of."

Su Qin replied, "Indeed, I dare not discuss human affairs this time, but specifically wish to speak with Your Highness about ghosts and spirits." Mengchang then granted him an audience.

Su Qin began, "On my way to Qi, I passed by the Zi River and overheard a clay figurine and a wooden puppet conversing. The wooden puppet said to the clay figurine, 'You were originally mud from the west bank of the Zi River, molded into a person. If a great rain comes in August and the Zi River overflows, you will be broken and incomplete.' The clay figurine retorted, 'Your words are incorrect. I am mud from the west bank; even if destroyed by the flood, I will still be mud from the west bank. But you are carved from peach wood from the east. If a great rain comes and the Zi River overflows, you will be swept away by the currents, and no one knows where you might end up!'"

Su Qin continued, "Now, Qin is a state of tigers and wolves, surrounded by mountains. If Your Highness goes to Qin, I fear you may not return safely." Lord Mengchang then abandoned his plan to go to Qin.