山
海Shanhai StoryChinese stories for learners
Saved words
Menu
Stories/Chinese folklore/Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting Gall
HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

卧薪尝胆

wò xīn cháng dǎn

Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting Gall

After defeat and humiliation, King Goujian of Yue spends years rebuilding his state and preparing to face Wu again.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ4 min
HANZI215
Reading tools
Text size
文化
CULTURE

What does the historical record actually say?

The Shiji explicitly says that Goujian kept gall near his seat, looked up at it when sitting or lying down, and tasted it before eating. Sleeping on brushwood is part of the later traditional retelling. The idiom now describes enduring hardship while working toward a difficult goal.

Key vocabulary10 words from this story
Open vocabulary →
阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01越王勾践被谁打败了？
02勾践回国以后怎样提醒自己过去的失败？
03越国为什么后来越来越强大？
0 / 3questions answered
阅读练习完成

You finished the story.

Keep reading at the same level to build speed and confidence.

Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 卧薪尝胆

What does 卧薪尝胆 mean in English?

卧薪尝胆 (wò xīn cháng dǎn) literally means “sleep on brushwood and taste gall.” It describes enduring hardship and remembering past defeat while preparing for a comeback.

When is 卧薪尝胆 used?

Use 卧薪尝胆 for disciplined effort sustained over a long period after humiliation or failure. For example: After losing the championship, the team trained for three years with a spirit of 卧薪尝胆.

What is the pinyin for 卧薪尝胆?

The pinyin pronunciation for 卧薪尝胆 is “wò xīn cháng dǎn.”