披荆斩棘 in English pi1 jing1 zhan3 ji2 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to cut one's way through thistles and thorns (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically to overcome all obstacles on the way
  • to break through hardships
  • to blaze a new trail

Simplified Characters

披 荆 斩 棘

Traditional Characters

披 荊 斬 棘

Pinyin

pi1 jing1 zhan3 ji2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

披pi1to drape over one's shoulders 荆jing1chaste tree or berry (Vitex agnus-castus) 斩zhan3to behead (as form of capital punishment) 棘ji2thorns