Chinese Idiom: 万里长征 (Wan Li Chang Zheng)
English Translation: A journey of thousands of miles
pīn yīn: wàn lǐ cháng zhēng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a journey or undertaking that is extremely long and challenging, often symbolizing perseverance and enduring effort.
Historical Source: Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling’s poem Out of the Frontier (《出塞》).
Idiom Story:
Wang Changling (王昌龄), a Tang Dynasty poet known for his robust and evocative frontier poems, was deeply affected by the political and military turmoil of his time. During the later years of Tang Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, the Tang Dynasty faced growing challenges, including persistent conflicts with the northern Khitan and unrest along the frontier.
Wang Changling, who had traveled extensively across the regions of Hexi and Longyou, witnessed these troubles firsthand. His frustration with the inability of the Tang Dynasty to secure its borders and ensure peace led him to express his concerns through poetry. One of his notable works, Out of the Frontier, reflects his sentiments. In the poem, he poignantly describes the long and painful history of border wars, comparing the present to the endless struggles since the time of the Qin and Han dynasties. The imagery of the distant, relentless battles and the soldiers who continue to guard the frontier, unable to return home, evokes a sense of endless struggle and sacrifice.
The phrase “万里长征” (a journey of ten thousand miles) originally emerged from this poem’s depiction of the extended and arduous military campaigns. It illustrates the immense distance and difficulty involved, both physically and metaphorically. Over time, the idiom has been simplified from the original poem’s line “万里长征人未还” (a journey of ten thousand miles, and still the soldiers have not returned) to just “万里长征,” symbolizing any long and challenging journey or effort.
The phrase has come to represent not only the literal long-distance expeditions but also metaphorical undertakings requiring persistence and resilience.
