星星之火，可以燎原 — “A small beginning can lead to a great development”
星星之火，可以燎原 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a small beginning can lead to a great development”. A single spark can start a big blaze. It implies that something seemingly insignificant can grow into a powerful and widespread force. Literally, “A single spark can set a prairie on fire”.
星星之火，可以燎原 Pronunciation and Pinyin
星星之火，可以燎原 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 星星之火，可以燎原
Origin and Story of 星星之火，可以燎原
During the Ming Dynasty, Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng appointed the renowned general Qi Jiguang to train troops against the invasion of Japanese pirates, and also entrusted Pan Jixun with managing the Yellow River floods.
When rebellions broke out in ethnic minority regions, Zhang Juzheng believed they were caused by corrupt officials and ruffians. He saw the strength of the rebel forces as 'a single spark that could start a prairie fire,' and thus ordered severe punishment for corrupt officials and unruly generals, quickly quelling the rebellions.
Idioms Related to 星星之火，可以燎原
Synonyms of 星星之火，可以燎原
More idioms starting with 星
- xīng星qián前yuè月xià下under the stars and moon
- xīng星bēn奔chuān川wù骛move with extreme speed
- xīng星bēn奔diàn电mài迈move with extreme speed
- xīng星qí旗diàn电jǐ戟magnificent military display
- xīng星xing星zhī之huǒ火A tiny spark with great potential
- xīng星xing星zhī之huǒ火，，suì遂chéng成liáo燎yuán原A single spark can start a prairie fire
- xīng星xing星diǎn点diǎn点scattered here and there
- xīng星xīng星luò落luò落sparse and scattered
- xīng星yuè月jiāo交huī辉stars and moon shining together
- xīng星yuè月jiǎo皎jié洁stars and moon shining brightly
- xīng星qiáo桥huǒ火shù树magnificent display of fireworks and lanterns
- xīng星liú流yǐng影jí集move with lightning speed
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Open the tool →Questions about 星星之火，可以燎原
What does 星星之火，可以燎原 mean?
星星之火，可以燎原 (xīng xing zhī huǒ ， kě yǐ liáo yuán) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a small beginning can lead to a great development”.
How do you pronounce 星星之火，可以燎原?
星星之火，可以燎原 is pronounced xīng xing zhī huǒ ， kě yǐ liáo yuán in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 星星之火，可以燎原 literally mean?
Literally, 星星之火，可以燎原 means “a single spark can set a prairie on fire”. It is used to mean “a small beginning can lead to a great development”.
Where does 星星之火，可以燎原 come from?
星星之火，可以燎原 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 星星之火，可以燎原?
一点点小火星可以烧掉大片原野。比喻开始时微小，但有远大发展前途的新事物