无功而返 return without success
Explanation
没有任何收获或结果就回来。比喻努力没有成功。
To return without any achievement or result. A metaphor for fruitless efforts.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有一位名叫李白的诗人，他仰慕一位隐居山林的著名道士，听说这位道士练就了一身绝世武功，于是便千里迢迢地前往拜访，希望能学习道士的武功。李白来到深山老林，历经千辛万苦，终于找到了这位道士的隐居之所。他诚恳地向道士请求学习武功，道士见李白如此诚恳，便答应收他为徒。李白欣喜若狂，开始认真学习武功。他每天坚持不懈地练习，从不偷懒。然而，经过几年的刻苦修炼，李白仍然没有掌握任何武功，反而练就了一身伤病，无奈之下，他只好无功而返，带着一身的伤痛和遗憾离开了深山老林。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai who admired a famous Taoist priest who lived in seclusion in the mountains. He had heard that this Taoist priest had cultivated extraordinary martial arts skills. Li Bai, eager to learn these skills, traveled far and wide to visit the priest. After much hardship, Li Bai finally found the priest's secluded residence. He earnestly requested to learn the priest's martial arts. Moved by his sincerity, the priest agreed to take him as a disciple. Li Bai was overjoyed and diligently practiced martial arts every day. However, after several years of arduous training, Li Bai still had not mastered any martial arts. Instead, he had sustained various injuries. With no other choice, he had to return home without accomplishing anything, leaving behind the mountains and forests with a body full of injuries and regrets.
Usage
用于形容事情没有结果而返回。
Used to describe returning without any results.
Examples
-
他兴冲冲地跑去问情况，结果无功而返。
ta xingchongchong de pao qu wen qingkuang, jieguo wugong er fan.
He rushed over to ask about the situation, but returned empty-handed.
-
经过几天的努力，他还是无功而返，十分沮丧。
jingguo ji tiande nuli, ta haishi wugong er fan, shifen jusang
After several days of hard work, he still returned empty-handed and was very frustrated.