咬菜根

菜根香 càigēnxiāng

"the roots of vegetables are fragrant" (contentment with simple fare) / Caigenxiang (restaurant name)

咬 yǎo HSK 5 #1,252

to bite; to nip

必固其根本 bìgùqígēnběn

must first strengthen its roots — any lasting growth or success depends on solid foundations / literally: must make firm its roots

咬鹃 yǎojuān

trogon (bird family Trogonidae)

咬定青山不放松 yǎodìngqīngshānbùfàngsōng

to bite firmly into the green mountain and never let go / to hold fast to one's goal with unshakeable resolve

咬伤 yǎoshāng

to bite and wound / bite wound

咬文嚼字 yǎowénjiáozì

to pay excessive attention to wording / to split hairs over phrasing / pedantic

咬牙关 yǎoyáguān

to grit one's teeth (in anger, pain, or determination); to steel oneself

蔬菜 shūcài HSK 5 #5,170

vegetables

咬牙 yǎoyá #28,631

to clench one's teeth / to grit one's teeth (enduring hardship) / to gnash one's teeth (in anger)