孜孜以求

zīzīyǐqiú

idiom

Meanings

1 to pursue diligently and tirelessly
2 to strive after something with unflagging effort
3 to seek unceasingly

Characters

so as to; in order to

to seek; pursue

Examples

他一生孜孜以求科学真理。

Tā yī shēng zī zī yǐ qiú kēxué zhēnlǐ.

He spent his whole life tirelessly pursuing scientific truth.

这是我们孜孜以求的目标。

Zhè shì wǒmen zī zī yǐ qiú de mùbiāo.

This is the goal we pursue without ever slackening.

他对完美孜孜以求。

Tā duì wánměi zī zī yǐ qiú.

He pursues perfection relentlessly.

Tips

usage

Formal and positive. Pairs with abstract, high-minded objects: 真理, 理想, 目标, 事业, 完美. Not used for trivial everyday pursuits.

memory

孜孜 is a reduplicative meaning 'diligent, tireless' — mimics the quiet hum of persistent effort. 以求 = 'in order to seek'. Whole phrase: 'diligently seeking'.

Stroke Order

孜 zī

以 yǐ

求 qiú