Definition
碰壁 literally means 'to hit a wall', but figuratively it means to be rebuffed or encounter difficulties. It is a separable verb (离合词): the verb 碰 can be separated from the object 壁 by aspect markers (了, 过) or measure words (一次). For example, 碰了壁 ('hit a wall'), 碰过壁 ('have hit a wall'), 碰了一次壁 ('hit a wall once'). It is often used in contexts where someone's request or effort is rejected.
v.o.
to be rebuffedto encounter difficultiesto run into a blind alley (figurative)
Examples
- 碰壁，。Zài lǎobǎn nàr pèng bì zhīhòu, tā juédìng huàn gè fāngfǎ.After being rebuffed by the boss, he decided to change his approach.
- ，。Tā qù zhǎo jīnglǐ bāngmáng, jiéguǒ yòu pèng le yí cì bì.He went to the manager for help, but ended up hitting a wall again.
- ，。Wǒ yǐqián pèng guò bì, suǒyǐ zhīdào gāi zěnme zuò.I've hit walls before, so I know what to do.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.