"Zhuangxin Buyi" (An Unyielding Ambition) comes from "The Turtle Though Long-Lived" by Cao Cao of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The original lines read: "An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand li; a noble-hearted man in his twilight years still harbors an unyielding ambition." It means that a person with aspirations, even in old age, will not let his lofty ambitions diminish. Here, "zhuangxin" refers to a grand aspiration or great ambition, while "buyi" means "does not cease." This idiom is mostly used to describe elderly people who, despite their advanced age, still maintain vigorous enterprising spirit and a bold, heroic bearing, emphasizing that one's mental state is not limited by age. It carries a strongly positive connotation and is often used to praise those who remain vigorous in old age and strive without cease. In terms of cultural background, it embodies the traditional virtue of the Chinese nation—constant self-improvement and active endeavor—and shares similar connotations with idioms such as "lao dang yi zhuang" (old but still vigorous) and "lao ji fu li" (an old steed in the stable). It is mostly used in contexts describing elderly people who continue to pursue careers, studies, or ideals, and can also be used for self-encouragement or to encourage others.
📝 Example
1. After retirement, Professor Wang still persisted in scientific research and kept writing tirelessly, truly demonstrating a "zhuang xin bu yi" spirit—an unyielding ambition in old age.
2. Watching my grandfather learn programming at seventy, I deeply felt that "zhuang xin bu yi" spirit—the unwavering resolve to pursue lofty goals despite advancing years.