Yugong Yishan (愚公移山): Moving Mountains with Steadfast Effort

Yugong Yishan (愚公移山) literally translates to "The Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains." This four-character idiom comes from an ancient Chinese fable and conveys the powerful message that no matter how impossible a task may seem, persistent effort will eventually lead to success.

“In Japanese, it’s pronounced as Gukō Izan.”

Image: The Japanese calligraphy for "愚公移山"

Story Behind the Idiom

This idiom originates from a story in the ancient Chinese text Liezi.

Long ago, an old man named Yugong, aged 90, lived in a village surrounded by two massive mountains—Mount Taihang and Mount Wangwu. These mountains made travel extremely difficult for his family. Instead of resigning himself to the inconvenience, Yugong decided to begin digging a path through the mountains, one shovel at a time.

When mocked by a wiser but more cynical man named Zhisou, who told him the task was impossible, Yugong replied:
"These mountains will not grow any bigger, but we will grow in number. If I can't finish it, my children and their children will continue the work."

Impressed by Yugong’s unwavering determination, the Heavenly God eventually sent divine beings to move the mountains for him.

The tale illustrates that sincere and tireless effort can even move the seemingly immovable.

My Thoughts

This idiom really highlights the importance of perseverance and patience. While the story itself may sound exaggerated, its message is very down-to-earth: if you keep working at something without giving up, you’ll eventually see results.

It reminds me of other idioms like Seishin Itto (精神一到) or Nisshin Geppo (日進月歩), which also emphasize steady progress or the power of determination. But Yugong Yishan feels more emotionally powerful because it's rooted in a vivid story—it gives us a mental picture of someone doing something impossible out of pure will.

It’s interesting that what seemed foolish to others—Yugong’s endless digging—was actually a symbol of long-term vision and belief in future generations. I think that’s what makes this idiom both memorable and moving.

TL;DR

Yugong Yishan (愚公移山) teaches us that even the most daunting tasks can be achieved through unwavering persistence and a belief in future progress. The story of the old man moving mountains is a vivid reminder that determination, no matter how foolish it may seem at first, can eventually lead to great outcomes.