破琴示绝 — “Smash qin to show severance”
破琴示绝 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to smash one's qin (a stringed instrument) as a resolute act of refusal or a complete break, especially to demonstrate defiance against powerful or corrupt authorities, or to refuse to compromise one's principles”. Literally, “Smash qin to show severance”.
破琴示绝 Pronunciation and Pinyin
破琴示绝 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 破琴示绝
Origin and Story of 破琴示绝
During the Jin Dynasty, there was a brilliant musician named Dai Kui, who was renowned for his skill in playing the qin. Disgusted by the corruption in officialdom, he resolutely refused to serve as an official and chose to live as a recluse in Kuaiji, finding joy in playing the qin and painting.
Prince Sima Dao-shu of Wuling, hearing of his fame, sent messengers to invite him to perform at his palace. Dai Kui, in front of the envoy, smashed his qin to pieces, firmly refusing the invitation. Sima Dao-shu could do nothing about it.
Idioms Related to 破琴示绝
More idioms starting with 破
- pò破yè业shī失chǎn产lose family fortune and property
- pò破chǎn产dàng荡yè业go bankrupt and lose everything
- pò破jūn军shā杀jiāng将Shatter the army and slay the general
- pò破luǎn卵qīng倾cháo巢destroy completely and ruthlessly
- pò破kǒu口dà大mà骂curse someone out loudly
- pò破kǒu口nù怒mà骂curse loudly and harshly
- pò破kǒu口tòng痛mà骂to curse someone out
- pò破guó国wáng亡zōng宗ruined state, extinguished lineage
- pò破guó国wáng亡jiā家realm broken and family destroyed
- pò破jiān坚cuī摧gāng刚Break through strong defenses
- pò破bì壁fēi飞qù去achieve sudden prominence or success
- pò破ké壳ér而chū出break out of the shell
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Open the tool →Questions about 破琴示绝
What does 破琴示绝 mean?
破琴示绝 (pò qín shì jué) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to smash one's qin (a stringed instrument) as a resolute act of refusal or a complete break, especially to demonstrate defiance against powerful or corrupt authorities, or to refuse to compromise one's principles”.
How do you pronounce 破琴示绝?
破琴示绝 is pronounced pò qín shì jué in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 破琴示绝 literally mean?
Literally, 破琴示绝 means “Smash qin to show severance”. It is used to mean “to smash one's qin (a stringed instrument) as a resolute act of refusal or a complete break, especially to demonstrate defiance against powerful or corrupt authorities, or to refuse to compromise one's principles”.
Where does 破琴示绝 come from?
破琴示绝 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to modern Chinese. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 破琴示绝?
把琴摔破，表示绝裂。指不媚权贵