Hanzi Now
CharactersIdiomsChinese NameFlashcards
Tools

Visual content

  • Chinese Text Image GeneratorCreate PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
  • Stroke Order AnimatorTurn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
  • Character Highlight AnimatorChoose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
  • Chinese Text Morph AnimatorTurn one Chinese character, word or phrase into another; download SVG, MP4 or WebM

Audio content

  • Chinese Text to SpeechRead Chinese aloud with karaoke highlighting

Teaching materials

  • Writing WorksheetsPrintable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
  • Bingo CardsPicture and word Bingo for your class
  • Picture WorksheetsChinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets

Other

  • Pinyin GeneratorConvert Chinese text to pinyin with tone marks
  • Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFind your animal sign from your birth date and make a zodiac card.
  • Chinese Word CounterCount characters, words and sentences in Chinese text
View all tools →
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起
投袂而起

投袂而起 — “To rise with alacrity and determination”

投袂而起 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to rise with alacrity and determination”. To spring into decisive action. Literally, “To whisk one's sleeves and rise”.

Frequency

投袂而起 Pronunciation and Pinyin

投袂而起 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
投
tóu7throw, cast, or invest
袂
mèi9sleeve of clothing
而
ér6and, but, then
起
qǐ10to rise, start, or begin

Example Sentence with 投袂而起

听到需要志愿者时,他立刻投袂而起,表示愿意帮忙。
Upon hearing that volunteers were needed, he immediately rose with alacrity, expressing his willingness to help.

Origin and Story of 投袂而起

During the Spring and Autumn period, King Mu of Chu allied with Chen, Zheng, and Cai states to attack the State of Song. Duke Zhao of Song had no choice but to surrender. King Mu of Chu, full of arrogance, ordered Duke Zhao of Song to do various things.

After King Mu's death, King Zhuang of Chu ascended the throne. He dispatched his minister Shen Zhou to Qi, instructing him not to borrow a path through Song territory. However, Song killed Shen Zhou. King Zhuang of Chu was so enraged that he trembled all over; then, whisking his sleeves, he rose decisively and gathered his army to attack the State of Song.

Idioms Related to 投袂而起

Synonyms of 投袂而起

  • fèn奋mèi袂ér而qǐ起rise decisively and vigorously

More idioms starting with 投

  • tóu投zhī之chái豺hǔ虎throw evildoers to their doom
  • tóu投jǐng井xià下shí石kick someone when they are down
  • tóu投zhuàn传ér而qù去abandon official post
  • tóu投qí其suǒ所hào好cater to someone's preferences
  • tóu投rèn刃jiē皆xū虚handle tasks with great skill
  • tóu投luǎn卵jī击shí石attempt the impossible with insufficient means
  • tóu投hú壶diàn电xiào笑outwardly impressive but lacking substance
  • tóu投shān山cuàn窜hǎi海Banished to remote, desolate regions
  • tóu投huái怀sòng送bào抱throw oneself into someone's arms
  • tóu投gē戈jiǎng讲yì艺pursue learning amidst military duties
  • tóu投mù木bào报qióng琼Reciprocate kindness with something precious
  • tóu投jī机zhī之huì会,,jiān间bù不róng容suì穟A fleeting, rare, and critical opportunity

Recommended tools

Writing Worksheets

Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion

Open the tool →

Bingo Cards

Picture and word Bingo for your class

Open the tool →

Chinese Text Image Generator

Create PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes

Open the tool →

Character Highlight Animator

Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order

Open the tool →

Questions about 投袂而起

What does 投袂而起 mean?

投袂而起 (tóu mèi ér qǐ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to rise with alacrity and determination”.

How do you pronounce 投袂而起?

投袂而起 is pronounced tóu mèi ér qǐ in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 投袂而起 literally mean?

Literally, 投袂而起 means “to whisk one's sleeves and rise”. It is used to mean “to rise with alacrity and determination”.

Where does 投袂而起 come from?

投袂而起 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 投袂而起?

投袂:挥动袖子。形容精神振作,立即行动起来的神态。

Hanzi Now

Explore the charm of Chinese language

Explore

  • Characters
  • Idioms
  • Chinese Names
  • Flashcards

Tools

  • Chinese Text Image Generator
  • Stroke Order Animator
  • Character Highlight Animator
  • Bingo Cards
  • Picture Worksheets
  • All Tools

More

  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
© 2026 Hanzi NowContact Us