当头棒喝 — “A sharp warning or stern rebuke”
当头棒喝 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a sharp warning or stern rebuke”. Often likened to a sudden blow or shout, intended to shock someone into immediate awareness or understanding, especially when they are confused or misguided. Literally, “a stunning blow and a loud shout”.
当头棒喝 Pronunciation and Pinyin
当头棒喝 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 当头棒喝
Origin and Story of 当头棒喝
During the Tang Dynasty, the Zen master Linji used 'banghe' (striking with a stick and shouting) as a method of teaching the Dharma.
It is said that when the Zen master Mazu's disciple Baizhang came to visit, Mazu let out such a loud shout that Baizhang was left deaf and dizzy for three days.
When Huangbo transmitted the Dharma to his disciple Linji, he raised his stick and struck him, and did so three times.
Linji had no choice but to diligently study on his own, and eventually uncovered the profound mysteries of Buddhism.
Idioms Related to 当头棒喝
Synonyms of 当头棒喝
More idioms starting with 当
- dāng当yī一tiān天hé和shang尚zhuàng撞yī一tiān天zhōng钟do minimum work without enthusiasm
- dāng当shì世cái才dù度outstanding contemporary talent and demeanor
- dāng当shì世wú无shuāng双Unparalleled in the contemporary world
- dāng当wèi为qiū秋shuāng霜，，wú无wéi为kǎn槛yáng羊Be assertive, not a passive follower
- dāng当zhī之wú无kuì愧well-deserved; fully merited
- dāng当zhī之yǒu有kuì愧feel unworthy of the honor
- dāng当rén仁bù不ràng让shoulder a just responsibility without hesitation
- dāng当jīn今zhī之wù务the most pressing matters at hand
- dāng当jīn今wú无bèi辈Unrivaled in the contemporary era
- dāng当xíng刑ér而wáng王endure torment then become king
- dāng当wù务zhī之jí急top priority urgent matter
- dāng当wù务shǐ始zhōng终maintain consistency from beginning to end
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Open the tool →Questions about 当头棒喝
What does 当头棒喝 mean?
当头棒喝 (dāng tóu bàng hè) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a sharp warning or stern rebuke”.
How do you pronounce 当头棒喝?
当头棒喝 is pronounced dāng tóu bàng hè in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 当头棒喝 literally mean?
Literally, 当头棒喝 means “a stunning blow and a loud shout”. It is used to mean “a sharp warning or stern rebuke”.
Where does 当头棒喝 come from?
当头棒喝 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 当头棒喝?
佛教禅宗和尚接待初学的人常常用棒一击或大喝一声，促他醒悟。比喻严厉警告，促使人猛醒过来。