"Indomitable" means never retreating or yielding no matter how many setbacks one suffers, describing an extremely strong will. In it, "bai" is a figurative reference indicating a large number, "zhe" refers to setbacks or failures, and "nao" means bending or yielding. This idiom originates from Cai Yong's Collected Works of Cai Zhonglang in the Han Dynasty. The original text praised Qiao Xuan for "having the spirit of being indomitable and unyielding when facing great moral tests," and it later became a classic expression in Chinese culture praising resilient character. It is widely used and can describe an individual persistently striving in adversity, as well as the unyielding spirit of a team or a nation in the face of difficulties. Its emotional tone is positive, full of admiration and praise. Its deeper meaning refers not only to persistence, but also emphasizes the ability to remain true to one's original aspiration under repeated blows and to become braver with each setback, reflecting Chinese culture's admiration for a character of "vigorous and purposeful action."
📝 Example
1. He suffered repeated failures on his entrepreneurial journey, but with an indomitable spirit, he ultimately led the company out of trouble. (百折不挠: describing a strong will that never retreats no matter how many setbacks one encounters.)
2. Facing one failure after another in her research, she persisted in experimenting with an indomitable spirit and finally achieved a breakthrough. (百折不挠: referring to not yielding in the face of difficulties and persevering to the end.)