苦海无边，回头是岸

kǔ hǎi wú biān , huí tóu shì àn

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Definitions

  1. 1. The sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn your head to see the shore (idiom). Only Buddhist enlightenment can allow one to shed off the abyss of worldly suffering.
  2. 2. Repent and ye shall be saved!

Child Words of 苦海无边，回头是岸

回
huí

to circle

回头
huí tóu

to turn round; to turn one's head

岸
àn

bank; shore; beach; coast

是
shì

to be (followed by substantives only)

海
hǎi

ocean

无
wú

not to have

无边
wú biān

without boundary

苦
kǔ

bitter

边
biān

side

头
tóu

head

苦海
kǔ hǎi

lit. sea of bitterness