結草報恩

결초보은 結草報恩

To never forget a kindness received and to ensure it is repaid, even after death or at any cost.

Chinese Idiom 4-character idiom Learn with Music
💡 TL;DR

결초보은 (結草報恩): To never forget a kindness received and to ensure it is repaid, even after death or at any cost.

1 Meaning

결초보은 (結草報恩) means “To never forget a kindness received and to ensure it is repaid, even after death or at any cost.”.

Gyeol-cho-bo-eun (結草報恩) translates to 'repaying a kindness by tying grass.' It signifies the noble virtue of remembering a favor until the very end and ensuring it is returned, even from beyond the grave.

2 Examples

1

A mentor provided significant financial support and encouragement to a struggling student who is now a successful professional, while the mentor is starting a risky new business after retirement.

The former student uses their savings to provide seed capital and offers free expert marketing consultancy to ensure the mentor's business succeeds.

2

A junior employee made a critical mistake, but their manager took full responsibility to shield them from being fired.

Years later, when the manager faces political difficulties in a different department, the employee goes above and beyond to provide cross-departmental support and helps restore the manager's reputation.

3

A child from a low-income family was able to finish their education thanks to an anonymous scholarship donor.

Upon achieving professional success, they establish an anonymous foundation to fund scholarships for children in similar situations, passing the kindness forward.

3 Origin

The idiom originates from the Zuo Zhuan, a historical record of ancient China's Spring and Autumn period. A man named Wei Ke chose to follow his father's original wish rather than a later, delirious command, saving his stepmother's life by allowing her to remarry instead of being buried alive with his father. Years later, during a critical battle, Wei Ke saw an old man—the ghost of the stepmother's father—tying tall grass together into loops on the battlefield. This caused the enemy general's horse to trip, leading to Wei Ke's victory and survival. The expression 'tying grass' symbolizes a deep, unwavering loyalty and the determination to protect one's benefactor under any circumstances, bridging the gap between life and death.

4 Key Lessons

1

Gratitude and the act of remembering favors are the fundamental building blocks of lasting trust.

2

Sincere acts of kindness possess a long-lasting resonance that eventually returns to the giver, often when least expected.

3

True gratitude goes beyond mere material repayment; it involves a devoted commitment to the well-being and protection of those who helped us.

5 English Expression

English Vocabulary

vow

맹세, 서약

"He made a solemn vow to protect his family."

pay back

보답하다, (돈을) 갚다

"I will pay you back for all the help you gave me."

move on

잊고 나아가다, 넘어가다

"It's time to let go of the past and move on."

rush

전율, 치밀어 오름

"She felt a sudden rush of adrenaline during the race."

🔗 Same series — watch a related Short Related

초지일관 (初志一貫) — 처음의 뜻을 끝까지 관통하여 완성하는 힘
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6 Learn with Music

결초보은 track image

결초보은 Track

Tie the Grass for You (結草報恩)

받은 은혜를 잊지 않고, 살아 있을 때도 삶이 끝난 뒤에도 끝까지 지켜주며 갚겠다는 ‘결초보은’의 마음을 “I tie the grass for you”라는 훅으로 로맨틱하게 풀어낸 노래

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결초보은

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