How do you pronounce 矢在弦上，不得不发?

矢在弦上，不得不发 is pronounced shǐ zài xián shàng ， bù dé bù fā in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 矢在弦上，不得不发 literally mean?

Literally, 矢在弦上，不得不发 means “the arrow is on the bowstring, it must be shot”. It is used to mean “to be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed”.

Where does 矢在弦上，不得不发 come from?

矢在弦上，不得不发 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，不得不发?

矢：箭；弦：弓上用以法箭的牛筋绳子。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，不得不发 — “To be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed”

矢在弦上，不得不发 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed”. Once a course of action has been initiated, it must be carried through, often due to circumstances leaving no other choice. Literally, “The arrow is on the bowstring, it must be shot”.

Frequency

矢在弦上，不得不发 Pronunciation and Pinyin

矢shǐ
在zài
弦xián
上shàng
，，
不bù
得dé
不bù
发fā

矢在弦上，不得不发 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
，	，	—
不	bù	4	not
得	dé	11	obtain, must, or suitable
不	bù	4	not
发	fā	5	to issue, send, or develop

Example Sentence with 矢在弦上，不得不发

既然这个计划已经启动了，即使前方有困难，我们也矢在弦上，不得不发，只能全力以赴。

Now that this project has been launched, even if there are difficulties ahead, the arrow is on the bowstring, and we have no choice but to proceed and give it our all.

Origin and Story of 矢在弦上，不得不发

During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao, preparing to attack Cao Cao, ordered his strategist Chen Lin to draft a powerful denunciation titled 'A Proclamation for Yuan Shao Against Yuzhou' (referring to Cao Cao). This proclamation detailed Cao Cao's alleged crimes and harshly 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, recalling the scathing proclamation, asked Chen Lin why he had written such a fierce indictment.

Chen Lin responded that at the time, he was forced by Yuan Shao, explaining that the situation was like 'an arrow on the bowstring, having no choice but to be discharged.'

Idioms Related to 矢在弦上，不得不发

Synonyms of 矢在弦上，不得不发

jiàn箭zài在xián弦shàng上，，bù不dé得bù不fā发arrow on string, must shoot

More idioms starting with 矢

Questions about 矢在弦上，不得不发

What does 矢在弦上，不得不发 mean?: 矢在弦上，不得不发 (shǐ zài xián shàng ， bù dé bù fā) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed”.
How do you pronounce 矢在弦上，不得不发?: 矢在弦上，不得不发 is pronounced shǐ zài xián shàng ， bù dé bù fā in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 矢在弦上，不得不发 literally mean?: Literally, 矢在弦上，不得不发 means “the arrow is on the bowstring, it must be shot”. It is used to mean “to be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed”.
Where does 矢在弦上，不得不发 come from?: 矢在弦上，不得不发 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，不得不发?: 矢：箭；弦：弓上用以法箭的牛筋绳子。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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