What does 矢在弦上 mean?

矢在弦上 (shǐ zài xián shàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the arrow is on the bowstring”.

How do you pronounce 矢在弦上?

矢在弦上 is pronounced shǐ zài xián shàng in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 矢在弦上 literally mean?

Literally, 矢在弦上 means “Arrow on the bowstring”. It is used to mean “the arrow is on the bowstring”.

Where does 矢在弦上 come from?

矢在弦上 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 矢在弦上?

箭已搭在弦上。比喻为形势所迫，不得不采取某种行动。

矢在弦上 — “The arrow is on the bowstring”

矢在弦上 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the arrow is on the bowstring”. Implying that one is compelled by circumstances to take action; to be in a situation where one must proceed and cannot turn back. Literally, “Arrow on the bowstring”.

Frequency

矢在弦上 Pronunciation and Pinyin

矢shǐ
在zài
弦xián
上shàng

矢在弦上 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
矢	shǐ	5	arrow, to vow
在	zài	6	to be at or in
弦	xián	8	bowstring, string, hypotenuse
上	shàng	3	up, above, on, previous, ascend

Example Sentence with 矢在弦上

我们已经投入了大量的资源，现在真是矢在弦上，不得不继续推进这个项目了。

We've already invested a lot of resources; now that the arrow is on the bowstring, we have no choice but to push forward with this project.

Origin and Story of 矢在弦上

Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao, preparing to attack Cao Cao, ordered Chen Lin to write a proclamation titled "Proclamation against Yu Province for Yuan Shao." This document listed Cao Cao's alleged crimes and fiercely insulted his ancestors.

After Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin seized the opportunity to defect to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao questioned Chen Lin about why he wrote such a harsh proclamation. Chen Lin replied that at the time, it was like 'an arrow on the bowstring'; he was compelled by Yuan Shao to write it.

Idioms Related to 矢在弦上

Synonyms of 矢在弦上

More idioms starting with 矢

Questions about 矢在弦上

What does 矢在弦上 mean?: 矢在弦上 (shǐ zài xián shàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the arrow is on the bowstring”.
How do you pronounce 矢在弦上?: 矢在弦上 is pronounced shǐ zài xián shàng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 矢在弦上 literally mean?: Literally, 矢在弦上 means “Arrow on the bowstring”. It is used to mean “the arrow is on the bowstring”.
Where does 矢在弦上 come from?: 矢在弦上 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 矢在弦上?: 箭已搭在弦上。比喻为形势所迫，不得不采取某种行动。

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