How do you pronounce 一刀两断?

一刀两断 is pronounced yī dāo liǎng duàn in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 一刀两断 literally mean?

Literally, 一刀两断 means “Cut in two with one stroke”. It is used to mean “to make a clean break (with someone/something)”.

Where does 一刀两断 come from?

一刀两断 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 一刀两断?

一刀斩为两段。比喻坚决断绝关系。

一刀两断 — “To make a clean break (with someone/something)”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 一刀两断?

一刀斩为两段。比喻坚决断绝关系。

一刀两断 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make a clean break (with someone/something)”. To sever relations completely and decisively. Literally, “Cut in two with one stroke”.

Frequency

一刀两断 Pronunciation and Pinyin

一yī
刀dāo
两liǎng
断duàn

一刀两断 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
一	yī	1	one, a, single, whole
刀	dāo	2	knife
两	liǎng	7	two, a couple of
断	duàn	11	break, stop, decide

Example Sentence with 一刀两断

他们因为理念不合，最终决定一刀两断，各自发展。

Due to their differing philosophies, they ultimately decided to make a clean break and pursue their own paths.

Origin and Story of 一刀两断

In the early Western Han Dynasty, after Han Xin was enfeoffed as the King of Qi, Prime Minister Xiao He worried that Han Xin's military power was too great and threatened the Liu family's reign. He then sought out Fan Kuai to discuss a plan. Fan Kuai, full of self-importance, boasted about how he had defeated Xiang Yu and protected his lord Liu Bang. He declared that for Han Xin, a mere 'hungry man from Huaiyin' who couldn't even 'tie up a chicken' (meaning powerless), he would only need one or two people to cut him in two with one stroke (meaning easily dispose of him).

Idioms Related to 一刀两断

Synonyms of 一刀两断

dāng当jī机lì立duàn断make a prompt and decisive decision

Antonyms of 一刀两断

More idioms starting with 一

Questions about 一刀两断

What does 一刀两断 mean?: 一刀两断 (yī dāo liǎng duàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make a clean break (with someone/something)”.
How do you pronounce 一刀两断?: 一刀两断 is pronounced yī dāo liǎng duàn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 一刀两断 literally mean?: Literally, 一刀两断 means “Cut in two with one stroke”. It is used to mean “to make a clean break (with someone/something)”.
Where does 一刀两断 come from?: 一刀两断 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 一刀两断?: 一刀斩为两段。比喻坚决断绝关系。

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