半途而废...
ban tu er fei...
Give up halfway...
Literally: Half (半) way (途) and (而) waste/abandon (废)
In 15 Seconds
- Quitting a task before it is finished.
- Implies wasted effort and lack of willpower.
- Used as a warning or motivational advice.
Meaning
It describes the act of starting something with big dreams but quitting before you finish. It's like running a marathon and stopping at mile 13 because you saw a nice bench.
Key Examples
3 of 6Encouraging a friend at the gym
已经坚持一个月了，千万不要半途而废！
You've stuck with it for a month, don't give up now!
Discussing a failed business venture
由于资金不足，这个项目只能半途而废了。
Due to a lack of funds, this project had to be abandoned halfway.
Texting a friend about a book
这本书太无聊了，我读了一半就半途而废了。
This book is so boring, I gave up on it halfway through.
Cultural Background
This idiom (Chengyu) dates back to the Han Dynasty and is rooted in Confucian values of perseverance and self-discipline. It highlights the traditional Chinese belief that the value of an action is only realized upon its completion. It is a foundational moral lesson taught to almost every Chinese child.
The 'Pep Talk' Secret
If you want to sound like a supportive 'Big Brother/Sister', use `千万不要半途而废` (Whatever you do, don't give up halfway). It's a very natural way to show you care.
Don't be too harsh
Calling someone's work `半途而废` can be offensive because it implies they are lazy or weak-willed. Use it carefully when criticizing others.
In 15 Seconds
- Quitting a task before it is finished.
- Implies wasted effort and lack of willpower.
- Used as a warning or motivational advice.
What It Means
Imagine you start a 1,000-piece puzzle. You do the edges, get bored, and shove it back in the box. That is 半途而废. It is about losing your momentum. It describes a lack of persistence. It is not just about stopping. It implies you wasted the effort you already put in.
How To Use It
You usually use it as a verb or an adjective. You can tell a friend, "Don't 半途而废!" It works well after words like 不可 (must not) or 不要 (don't). You can also use it to describe a person's character. If someone always quits hobbies, they have a habit of 半途而废. It is a punchy way to call out someone's lack of follow-through.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is about to quit a gym membership. Use it when a colleague wants to abandon a project halfway. It is great for pep talks. It works when you are reflecting on your own failed New Year's resolutions. It is common in academic settings too. Teachers love using this to motivate students.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for things that should be stopped. If a building is on fire, leaving is not 半途而废. That is just common sense. Avoid using it for trivial things like finishing a glass of water. It usually refers to tasks that require effort or time. Also, do not use it with your boss unless you have a very close relationship. It can sound a bit like a lecture.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a story in the 'Book of Rites'. A man named Yue Yangzi went away to study. He came home early because he missed his wife. His wife took a knife to her loom. She threatened to cut the silk she was weaving. She said if he quits studying, it is like her cutting the silk. All the previous work becomes useless instantly. He got the message and went back to finish his studies.
Common Variations
People often pair it with 坚持到底 (persist until the end). This is the direct opposite. You might hear 做事不能半途而废. This means "You can't do things halfway." Another similar one is 有始无终 (having a beginning but no end). However, 半途而废 is much more common in daily speech. It feels more like a warning or a piece of advice.
Usage Notes
This is a very versatile idiom. It fits perfectly in both spoken and written Chinese. It is neutral in formality, making it safe for almost any situation where you want to discuss perseverance.
The 'Pep Talk' Secret
If you want to sound like a supportive 'Big Brother/Sister', use `千万不要半途而废` (Whatever you do, don't give up halfway). It's a very natural way to show you care.
Don't be too harsh
Calling someone's work `半途而废` can be offensive because it implies they are lazy or weak-willed. Use it carefully when criticizing others.
The Loom Story
In China, this phrase is almost always associated with the story of Yue Yangzi's wife. Mentioning 'cutting the silk' is a high-level way to reference this idiom's origin!
Examples
6已经坚持一个月了，千万不要半途而废！
You've stuck with it for a month, don't give up now!
Used here as a strong motivational push.
由于资金不足，这个项目只能半途而废了。
Due to a lack of funds, this project had to be abandoned halfway.
Describes a situation where quitting was forced but regrettable.
这本书太无聊了，我读了一半就半途而废了。
This book is so boring, I gave up on it halfway through.
A casual way to admit you didn't finish something.
既然开始了，就不能半途而废。
Since you started, you can't just quit halfway.
A classic 'parental lecture' usage.
我的减肥计划又半途而废了，因为火锅太好吃了。
My diet plan failed halfway again because hotpot is too delicious.
Uses the phrase to poke fun at one's own lack of discipline.
在实现目标的道路上，我们决不能半途而废。
On the road to achieving our goals, we must never give up halfway.
High-level formal rhetoric.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a marathon runner.
虽然腿很疼，但他还是坚持跑到了终点，没有___。
The sentence says he ran to the finish line despite the pain, meaning he did NOT 'give up halfway'.
Which word best fits a situation where someone stops learning a language after two weeks?
他学了两个星期汉语就___了。
Quitting after a short time is the definition of `半途而废`.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of '半途而废'
Chatting with friends about a dropped hobby.
我又半途而废了。
Giving advice to a sibling or classmate.
别半途而废啊！
In a business meeting or written report.
我们不能让这项工作半途而废。
Where to use '半途而废'
Fitness/Gym
Quitting a 30-day challenge on day 10.
Education
Dropping a difficult course mid-semester.
Business
Canceling a project after investing time.
Hobbies
Leaving a painting unfinished for months.
Practice Bank
2 exercises虽然腿很疼，但他还是坚持跑到了终点，没有___。
The sentence says he ran to the finish line despite the pain, meaning he did NOT 'give up halfway'.
他学了两个星期汉语就___了。
Quitting after a short time is the definition of `半途而废`.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it almost always carries a negative connotation of failing to persevere. It's not used for 'smart quitting' or pivoting a strategy.
Not really. It's usually for tasks that require a process, like 学钢琴 (learning piano) or 写小说 (writing a novel).
You would say 我没有半途而废 (I didn't give up halfway). It's a double negative used for emphasis.
Yes, if you are talking about a project that shouldn't be stopped. For example: 我们不应该让这个项目半途而废.
放弃 is a general word for 'to give up'. 半途而废 is more descriptive, specifically highlighting that you were already in the middle of it.
Not at all. While it's an ancient idiom, it is used daily in modern Chinese in schools, offices, and homes.
It's usually a verb phrase, but you can say 半途而废的行为 (the behavior of giving up halfway) to use it like a noun.
The most common opposite is 坚持到底 (jiānchí dàodǐ), which means to persist until the very end.
Not exactly, but young people might say 三分钟热度 (three-minute heat), which means having a short-lived passion for something.
It's rare. Usually, people use it for tasks or goals. For relationships, people might use 始乱终弃 (to start with passion but end with abandonment), though that's much harsher.
Related Phrases
坚持到底
To persist until the end
前功尽弃
All previous efforts wasted
有始有终
To finish what one starts
三分钟热度
Short-lived enthusiasm
