悬剑空垄 — “To keep a promise or commitment to a friend, even after their death”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 悬剑空垄?

比喻心许朋友的事，不因人死而改变。

悬剑空垄 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to keep a promise or commitment to a friend, even after their death”. To remain true to one's word regardless of circumstances. Literally, “Hanging a sword over an empty tomb”.

Frequency

悬剑空垄 Pronunciation and Pinyin

悬剑空垄 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
悬	xuán	11	hang, suspend
剑	jiàn	9	ancient long-bladed weapon
空	kōng	8	empty, void, or sky
垄	lǒng	8	field ridge or grave mound

Example Sentence with 悬剑空垄

他秉持着悬剑空垄的信念，即使老友已逝，依然完成了当年共同约定好的事业。

Upholding the belief of 'hanging a sword over an empty tomb,' he completed the endeavor they had agreed upon years ago, even after his old friend had passed away.

Origin and Story of 悬剑空垄

In ancient times, Ji Zha, during his first diplomatic mission to the North, met Lord Xu and became close friends with him. Lord Xu admired Ji Zha's precious sword, though he never explicitly said so. Ji Zha understood this unspoken wish. However, for the convenience of his official duties, he did not give the sword to Lord Xu at that time.

After completing his mission, Ji Zha passed through the land of Xu again and learned that Lord Xu had already passed away. He then went to Lord Xu's tomb, hung his sword on a tree nearby, and departed.