欺软怕硬 — “To bully the weak and fear the strong”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 欺软怕硬?

欺负软弱的，害怕强硬的。

欺软怕硬 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to bully the weak and fear the strong”. To pick on the weak but cower before the strong. Literally, “bully the soft, fear the hard”.

Frequency

欺软怕硬 Pronunciation and Pinyin

欺软怕硬 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
欺	qī	12	cheat or bully
软	ruǎn	8	soft, weak, or gentle
怕	pà	8	fear, be afraid of
硬	yìng	12	Hard, firm, strong, stubborn

Example Sentence with 欺软怕硬

他总是欺软怕硬，只敢对着比自己弱小的人发脾气，面对上级却一声不吭。

He always bullies the weak and fears the strong, only daring to lose his temper at those weaker than himself, but remaining silent when facing superiors.

Origin and Story of 欺软怕硬

During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Xiang of Song greatly desired to emulate Duke Huan of Qi and become a hegemon among the feudal lords.

He first helped Prince Zhao return to his state and ascend to the throne as Duke Xiao of Qi. Later, he convened a meeting of smaller states like Cao in Song.

He then had Prince Zize killed and invited King Cheng of Chu to gather other feudal lords for a 'Yi Chang Zhi Hui' (meeting of robes and costumes) in Song.

At this assembly, King Cheng of Chu, relying on his formidable military might, established himself as the hegemon. Duke Xiang of Song, known for bullying the weak and fearing the strong, could only accept his misfortune and the reality of Chu's superior power.