卧薪尝胆 sleep on a bed of straw and taste gall
Explanation
卧薪尝胆，形容人刻苦自励，发愤图强，体现了中华民族自强不息的精神。
Woxin Changdan is a Chinese idiom that means to endure hardship and work hard to achieve one's goals. It embodies the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people.
Origin Story
春秋时期，吴王夫差打败并俘虏了越王勾践。勾践在吴国当了三年俘虏，过着非人的生活。但是勾践没有放弃复国之心，他忍辱负重，努力学习吴国的政治、军事，并积极结交朋友，为将来报仇雪恨做准备。回到越国后，勾践卧薪尝胆，励精图治，终于在二十年后灭掉了吴国，报了当年被俘之仇。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the King of Wu, Fuchai, defeated and captured the King of Yue, Goujian. Goujian was held captive in Wu for three years and lived an inhuman life. But Goujian did not give up his dream of restoring his kingdom. He endured humiliation and hard work, diligently learned about Wu's politics and military affairs, and actively made friends, preparing for future revenge. After returning to Yue, Goujian slept on a bed of straw, tasted gall to remind himself of his humiliation, and diligently governed his country. Finally, after twenty years, he destroyed Wu and avenged his earlier captivity.
Usage
形容一个人刻苦努力，坚持不懈，最终取得成功的精神。
It describes a person who works hard and persistently, and finally achieves success.
Examples
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他为了实现梦想，卧薪尝胆，终于取得了成功。
tā wèi le shí xiàn mèng xiǎng, wò xīn cháng dǎn, zhōng yú qǔ dé le chéng gōng.
He worked hard to achieve his dream and finally succeeded.
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我们应该学习古代英雄卧薪尝胆的精神，为实现中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗。
wǒ men yīng gāi xué xí gǔ dài yīng xióng wò xīn cháng dǎn de jīng shén, wèi shí xiàn zhōng huá mín zú wěi dà fù xīng ér fèn đấu.
We should learn from the spirit of ancient heroes who endured hardships and worked hard to achieve their goals, and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
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创业初期，他们卧薪尝胆，克服了种种困难，最终取得了成功。
chuàng yè chū qī, tā men wò xīn cháng dǎn, kè fú le zhǒng zhǒng kùn nan, zhōng jiū qǔ dé le chéng gōng.
In the early days of their business, they worked hard and overcame many difficulties, and finally achieved success.