羿射九日 — “To describe a heroic act performed for the benefit of the people”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 羿射九日?

形容为民除害的英勇行为。

羿射九日 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to describe a heroic act performed for the benefit of the people”. Eliminating a great danger or source of suffering. Literally, “Hou Yi shoots down nine suns”.

Frequency

羿射九日 Pronunciation and Pinyin

羿射九日 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
羿	yì	9	legendary archer Yi
射	shè	10	shoot, eject, emit
九	jiǔ	2	the number nine
日	rì	4	sun, day, Japan

Example Sentence with 羿射九日

面对肆虐的洪水，救援队队员们奋不顾身，他们英勇行为如同羿射九日，为受灾群众解除了巨大的威胁。

Facing the raging floods, the rescue team members selflessly risked their lives; their heroic actions were like Hou Yi shooting down the nine suns, relieving the affected populace from a tremendous threat.

Origin and Story of 羿射九日

Legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Yao in ancient times, there were ten suns in the sky, each supposed to appear in rotation. However, due to a dispute, all ten suns appeared simultaneously. The scorching heat withered all the trees and crops on Earth, and the common people were on the verge of starvation.

Emperor Yao commanded Hou Yi, the husband of Chang'e, to shoot down the suns with his bow and arrows. Hou Yi, mustering all his strength, shot down nine of them, leaving only the one sun we see today.