不惜

• Pinyin: bù xī
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = not; 惜 = 忄(heart) + 昔 (past), meaning to cherish or feel reluctant to part with

Meaning

To not hesitate to; to spare no effort; at any cost. Willingness to sacrifice or expend something valuable to achieve a goal.

Emphasizes determination and the willingness to pay a high price. Often followed by negative outcomes one is willing to accept (不惜代价, 不惜一切) or actions one is willing to take. Can be admirable or reckless depending on context.

Examples

1. 为了孩子的教育，她不惜卖掉自己的房子。 For her child's education, she didn't hesitate to sell her own house.
2. 他不惜得罪所有人，也要坚持自己认为对的事。 He was willing to offend everyone to stand by what he believed was right.
3. 这家公司不惜重金聘请顶级人才。 This company spares no expense in hiring top talent.

Usage Guide

Context: determination, sacrifice, commitment

Tone: resolute

Do Say

• 他不惜一切代价也要完成这个项目。(He will complete this project at any cost.)
• 不惜血本投入研发。(Spare no expense on R&D investment.)

Don't Say

• 我不惜吃完这碗饭。(Don't use 不惜 for trivial actions that don't require sacrifice — it sounds absurd)

Origin & History

不 (not) + 惜 (to cherish, to spare). Literally 'not sparing,' indicating willingness to give up something valuable.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal