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三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌
三寸之舌

三寸之舌 — “The power of eloquent and persuasive speech”

三寸之舌 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the power of eloquent and persuasive speech”. A sharp and glib tongue. Literally, “Three-inch tongue”.

Frequency

三寸之舌 Pronunciation and Pinyin

三寸之舌 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
三
sān3the number three
寸
cùn3Chinese inch unit
之
zhī4possessive or connective particle
舌
shé6tongue

Example Sentence with 三寸之舌

凭借他那三寸之舌,他成功地说服了大家接受他的方案。
With his eloquent tongue, he successfully persuaded everyone to accept his proposal.

Origin and Story of 三寸之舌

Zhang Liang, a capable strategist and advisor to Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was well-versed in military tactics, highly resourceful, and exceptionally eloquent. He devised strategies and planned affairs from behind the scenes, helping Liu Bang establish the Western Han dynasty.

After Liu Bang became emperor, he intended to enfeoff Zhang Liang as "Marquis of Liu." However, Zhang Liang expressed a desire to become a Taoist priest, saying, "With my three-inch tongue, I have avenged the destruction of Han by Qin. I am completely content."

Idioms Related to 三寸之舌

Synonyms of 三寸之舌

  • sān三cùn寸bù不làn烂zhī之shé舌eloquent and persuasive speech

More idioms starting with 三

  • sān三sān三liǎng两liǎng两in small groups
  • sān三sān三wǔ五wǔ五in small scattered groups
  • sān三sān三sì四sì四in small groups
  • sān三xià下wǔ五chú除èr二do something quickly and efficiently
  • sān三bù不niù拗liù六the minority cannot overrule the majority
  • sān三bù不zhī知utterly ignorant of something
  • sān三gè个chòu臭pí皮jiang匠,,hé合chéng成yí一gè个zhū诸gě葛liàng亮Collective wisdom is powerful
  • sān三gè个chòu臭pí皮jiang匠,,sài赛guò过zhū诸gě葛liàng亮Collective wisdom surpasses individual genius
  • sān三wǔ五chéng成qún群in small groups
  • sān三qīn亲liù六gù故relatives and old friends
  • sān三qīn亲liù六juàn眷all one's relatives
  • sān三qīn亲sì四juàn眷all one's relatives and kinsfolk

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Questions about 三寸之舌

What does 三寸之舌 mean?

三寸之舌 (sān cùn zhī shé) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the power of eloquent and persuasive speech”.

How do you pronounce 三寸之舌?

三寸之舌 is pronounced sān cùn zhī shé in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 三寸之舌 literally mean?

Literally, 三寸之舌 means “Three-inch tongue”. It is used to mean “the power of eloquent and persuasive speech”.

Where does 三寸之舌 come from?

三寸之舌 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 三寸之舌?

比喻能说会辩的口才。

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