This Chinese idiom, Ban Tu Er Fei, is a classic phrase widely used in Chinese learning and children’s education to teach the value of persistence and finishing what you start.

1. This Chinese Idiom & Pinyin

Chinese: 半途而废

Pinyin: Bàn tú ér fèi

English Meaning: To give up halfway; to quit before completing a task.

2. Meaning

This Chinese idiom warns against abandoning efforts midway. It emphasizes that persistence is key to success, making it a popular choice for teaching kids and new Chinese learners about good habits and self-discipline.

3. Story of This Classic Chinese Idiom (中英对照)

Story (English):

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, a scholar named Le Yangzi left home to study in a distant city. After just one year, he grew homesick and decided to return early, leaving his studies unfinished.

When he arrived home, his wife was weaving cloth on a loom. She picked up a pair of scissors and cut the half-woven cloth into two pieces. She told him: “Studying is just like weaving cloth. If you stop halfway, all your hard work and time are wasted, just like this ruined cloth.”

Le Yangzi felt deeply ashamed. He realized his mistake and immediately returned to his studies, staying away from home for seven years until he completed his education.

故事（中文）：

东汉时期，学者乐羊子离家到远方求学。仅仅一年后，他因思念家人便中途返乡，放弃了未完成的学业。

回到家中，他的妻子正在织布。她拿起剪刀，将织到一半的布剪成了两段，对他说：“读书就像织布，若半途而废，之前所有的辛苦和时间都会像这匹断布一样，全部白费。”

乐羊子听后十分惭愧，立刻意识到自己的错误，重新回到学堂，整整七年没有回家，最终完成了学业。

4. Usage & Example

This Chinese idiom is widely used in daily conversations, Chinese classrooms, and children’s stories to encourage perseverance.

Example (English):

If you want to master Chinese well, don’t be a Ban Tu Er Fei—keep practicing every day to build your language skills.

例句（中文）：

想学好中文，千万别半途而废，要坚持每天练习，才能不断提升语言能力。

5. Learn More

Want to explore more classic Chinese idioms for your child’s education or your own Chinese learning? Check out our daily idiom stories to expand your vocabulary and deepen your understanding of Chinese culture.

Learn more about Chinese idioms on Wikipedia, a trusted resource for Chinese language and culture.