死而后已 Only after death will we stop
Explanation
已：停止。死了以后才罢手。形容为完成某种责任而奋斗终身。
Already: stop. Only after death will we stop. Describes the lifelong dedication to a task or responsibility.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉丞相诸葛亮，鞠躬尽瘁，为蜀汉的兴盛呕心沥血。他运筹帷幄，决胜千里，多次率军北伐，可惜天不假年，最终病逝于五丈原。临终前，他留下遗言：“我死而后已，只愿蜀汉能够兴盛，百姓能够安居乐业。”诸葛亮的忠诚和奉献，感动了无数人，成为了后世效仿的典范。他的故事也说明，只要心怀大义，为国为民，死而后已的精神，也值得我们所有人学习。他的故事激励着一代又一代人为了理想而奋斗。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han, devoted himself wholeheartedly to the prosperity of Shu Han. He masterminded campaigns and won decisive victories over long distances, repeatedly leading troops on northern expeditions. Unfortunately, his life was cut short, and he died on the Five-Zhang Plain. Before his death, he left the following message: “I will rest only after my death, I only hope that Shu Han can prosper and the people can live in peace and contentment.” Zhuge Liang's loyalty and devotion moved countless people and became a model for future generations. His story illustrates that as long as we are determined and committed, the spirit of working until death for the country and the people deserves to be learned by all of us.
Usage
形容为完成某种责任而奋斗终身，直到死亡。
Describes the lifelong dedication to a task or responsibility until death.
Examples
-
诸葛亮鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已，为蜀汉的兴盛奉献了一生。
Zhuge Liang jugong jincui, si er hou yi, wei Shuhan de xing sheng fengxian le yisheng.
Zhuge Liang dedicated his entire life to the welfare of the Shu Han Dynasty and died only afterwards.
-
为了完成这项伟大的事业，他决心死而后已。
Wei le wancheng zhe xiang weida de shiye, ta juexin si er hou yi
To complete this great work, he decided to only stop after his death.