山上无老虎，猴子称大王 — “In the absence of a capable or dominant figure”
山上无老虎，猴子称大王 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “in the absence of a capable or dominant figure”. A less qualified individual takes control or assumes a leading role. Literally, “On the mountain, without a tiger, the monkey claims to be king”.
山上无老虎，猴子称大王 Pronunciation and Pinyin
山上无老虎，猴子称大王 Character Breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Strokes | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| shān | 3 | mountain or hill | |
| shàng | 3 | up, above, on, previous, ascend | |
| wú | 4 | without, not having | |
| lǎo | 6 | old, aged, experienced | |
| hǔ | 8 | Tiger; brave; intimidate | |
| ， | ， | — | |
| hóu | 12 | monkey, ape, clever person | |
| zi | 3 | son, child, seed, small thing | |
| chēng | 10 | to weigh, call, or praise | |
| dà | 3 | large, big, great | |
| wáng | 4 | king, ruler, prince, chief |
Example Sentence with 山上无老虎，猴子称大王
Idioms Related to 山上无老虎，猴子称大王
More idioms starting with 山
- shān山bù不zhuàn转shuǐ水zhuàn转circumstances change, we'll meet again
- shān山bù不zhuàn转lù路zhuàn转circumstances change, find another way
- shān山zhōng中zǎi宰xiàng相reclusive sage offering wise counsel
- shān山kuī亏yī一kuì篑fail for want of a final effort
- shān山guāng光shuǐ水sè色picturesque mountain and river scenery
- shān山gōng公dǎo倒zǎi载dead drunk and sprawled backward
- shān山bāo包hǎi海róng容magnanimous and broad-minded
- shān山bāo包hǎi海huì汇encompass everything
- shān山nán南hǎi海běi北Far and wide
- shān山chī吃hǎi海hē喝eat and drink excessively
- shān山yín吟zé泽chàng唱Folk songs and ballads
- shān山hū呼hǎi海xiào啸overwhelming momentum or severe natural conditions
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Open the tool →Questions about 山上无老虎，猴子称大王
What does 山上无老虎，猴子称大王 mean?
山上无老虎，猴子称大王 (shān shàng wú lǎo hǔ ， hóu zi chēng dà wáng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “in the absence of a capable or dominant figure”.
How do you pronounce 山上无老虎，猴子称大王?
山上无老虎，猴子称大王 is pronounced shān shàng wú lǎo hǔ ， hóu zi chēng dà wáng in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 山上无老虎，猴子称大王 literally mean?
Literally, 山上无老虎，猴子称大王 means “on the mountain, without a tiger, the monkey claims to be king”. It is used to mean “in the absence of a capable or dominant figure”.
What is the Chinese definition of 山上无老虎，猴子称大王?
俗语，比喻没有能人，普通人物亦充当主要角色。