"Zai jie zai li" is a commonly used commendatory idiom. Its literal meaning is "to engage in battle again and sharpen again." It originates from the poem "Lianju on Cockfighting" by Han Yu and Meng Jiao of the Tang Dynasty, in which the line "Yi pen yi xing ran, zai jie zai li nai" appears. Originally, it referred to sharpening the cock's beak before each encounter during a cockfight. Later, it was extended to mean continuing to work hard again and again and striving forward unceasingly. It emphasizes that, on the basis of existing achievements or in the face of setbacks, one should not slacken or become discouraged, but should maintain fighting spirit and sustained commitment. It is used in a wide range of contexts, mostly in fields such as study, work, competitions, and scientific research, encouraging individuals or teams to redouble their efforts after achieving phased results and strive for greater progress. Its emotional tone is positive and uplifting, carrying a sense of encouragement and expectation, and it often appears in contexts such as teachers' messages, leaders' speeches, and self-encouragement. In terms of cultural background, it embodies the Chinese nation's spiritual tradition of unremitting self-improvement and perseverance.
📝 Example
1. Although you achieved good results in this exam, you should continue to make persistent efforts and strive for even better results next time. (It means to keep working hard and not become complacent because of current achievements.)
2. Facing technical difficulties, the team decided to continue to make persistent efforts and overcome the final obstacle. (It means to keep striving on the basis of existing progress.)