Chinese Idiom: 日暮途穷 (Ri Mu Tu Qiong)
English Translation: The Sun Sets and the Road Ends
pīn yīn: rì mù tú qióng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where all efforts have failed and there is no hope left. It conveys a sense of reaching the end of one’s resources or options.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian – Biographies of Wu Zixu (《史记·伍子胥列传》)
Idiom Story
The idiom “日暮途穷” originates from the story of Wu Zixu (伍子胥), a notable figure during the Spring and Autumn period. Wu Zixu’s family suffered a tragic fate at the hands of the ruler of the Chu state. His father, Wu She, and his brother, Wu Shang, were murdered by the Chu king. Wu Zixu was forced to flee and sought refuge with his friend, Shen Baoxu.
Wu Zixu vowed to avenge his family by destroying the Chu state. Despite Shen Baoxu’s warnings and attempts to dissuade him, Wu Zixu was determined. After many hardships, he found sanctuary in the state of Wu, where he assisted King Helu in gaining the throne.
In 506 BC, Wu Zixu persuaded the Wu king to invade Chu. The Wu forces conquered the Chu capital, Yingdu. However, by this time, the Chu king Ping had died, and his successor, Chu Zhao, had fled. Wu Zixu’s revenge remained incomplete, and he was consumed by years of frustration and anger.
In his final act of vengeance, Wu Zixu desecrated the tomb of King Ping, beating the corpse to express his long-suppressed fury. Shen Baoxu, still concerned, sent a letter condemning Wu Zixu’s actions as excessive. Wu Zixu responded by saying, “I am like a traveler who has reached the end of the road with nightfall approaching. I have no choice but to act recklessly.”
This phrase, “吾日暮途远” (I am like a traveler at the end of the day), was later simplified to “日暮途穷” to illustrate a state where one’s options have been exhausted and no more alternatives are available.
