During the Warring States period, a man from Chu was crossing a river by boat when he accidentally dropped his sword into the water. To remember the spot where the sword fell, he carved a mark on the boat. When the boat docked, he jumped into the water at the marked spot to look for his sword, but naturally, he couldn’t find it. This story mocks rigid and inflexible thinking that ignores changing circumstances.

Summary

  • Idiom: 刻舟求剑
  • Pinyin: kè zhōu qiú jiàn
  • Literal Translation: carving the boat to seek the sword
  • Extended Meaning: Used to describe someone who is stubbornly rigid and refuses to adapt to changing situations.

Character Introduction

  • 楚国人 (Man from Chu): A person who rigidly follows marks and rules without understanding changes in context, leading to foolish outcomes.