How do you pronounce 箭在弦上?

箭在弦上 is pronounced jiàn zài xián shàng in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 箭在弦上 literally mean?

Literally, 箭在弦上 means “Arrow on the bowstring”. It is used to mean “the situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken”.

Where does 箭在弦上 come from?

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

What is the Chinese definition of 箭在弦上?

箭已搭在弦上。比喻为形势所迫，不得不采取某种行动。

箭在弦上 — “The situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken”

箭在弦上 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken”. There's no turning back or avoiding the impending action. Literally, “Arrow on the bowstring”.

Frequency

箭在弦上 Pronunciation and Pinyin

箭jiàn
在zài
弦xián
上shàng

箭在弦上 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
箭	jiàn	15	arrow, rapid, urgent
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 箭在弦上

这个计划已经筹备了很久，现在一切就绪，箭在弦上，我们必须尽快启动。

This plan has been in preparation for a long time, and now everything is ready; with the arrow on the bowstring, we must launch it as soon as possible.

Origin and Story of 箭在弦上

During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao, aiming to attack Cao Cao, commissioned Chen Lin to compose a denunciation titled 'Proclamation for Yuan Shao Against Yuzhou.' In this document, Chen Lin listed Cao Cao's alleged offenses and severely criticized his lineage.

After Yuan Shao suffered a defeat against Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin took the opportunity to defect to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao inquired why Chen Lin had written such a scathing denunciation. Chen Lin responded that at that time, 'the arrow was on the bowstring,' implying he was compelled by Yuan Shao and had no choice but to write it.

Idioms Related to 箭在弦上

Synonyms of 箭在弦上

More idioms starting with 箭

Questions about 箭在弦上

What does 箭在弦上 mean?: 箭在弦上 (jiàn zài xián shàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken”.
How do you pronounce 箭在弦上?: 箭在弦上 is pronounced jiàn zài xián shàng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 箭在弦上 literally mean?: Literally, 箭在弦上 means “Arrow on the bowstring”. It is used to mean “the situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken”.
Where does 箭在弦上 come from?: 箭在弦上 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 箭在弦上?: 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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