noun
diligent study; studying hard despite poor conditions
Literary term evoking the Chinese stories of studying by firefly light or snow-reflected light. Used to praise perseverance in learning. Rare in everyday conversation; mostly found in formal or literary contexts.
彼は蛍雪の功を積んで、難関大学に合格した。
He passed the difficult university entrance exam through diligent study.
蛍雪の精神で毎日勉強を続けている。
I continue to study every day with the spirit of diligent perseverance.
A set phrase meaning 'the fruits of diligent study,' directly derived from 蛍雪. More common than the standalone noun.
From the Chinese stories of Che Yin (車胤) who studied by the light of fireflies, and Sun Kang (孫康) who studied by the light reflected from snow. The compound 蛍雪 (firefly + snow) symbolizes diligent study under difficult conditions.