威武不屈 — “To be unyielding to force or intimidation”
威武不屈 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be unyielding to force or intimidation”. To stand firm against coercion; to show unwavering integrity and resilience. Literally, “Unyielding to power and might”.
威武不屈 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 威wēi
- 武wǔ
- 不bù
- 屈qū
威武不屈 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 威武不屈
Origin and Story of 威武不屈
During the Warring States period, Mencius discussed the concept of a “true man” (大丈夫) with Jing Chun. Jing Chun believed that Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi were true men because they advocated the “Lianheng” (linking) strategy, persuading the six states to submit to the State of Qin.
Mencius disagreed, stating that a true man, when successful, should care for others and act according to principles with openness and integrity.
When unsuccessful, he should remain uncorrupted by wealth or status, and absolutely unyielding to force or power. This last phrase, “威武不屈” (unyielding to force), became a classic description of steadfast character.
Idioms Related to 威武不屈
Antonyms of 威武不屈
More idioms starting with 威
- wēi威yí仪kǒng孔shí时dignified and solemn bearing highly appropriate
- wēi威xìn信sǎo扫dì地lose all prestige and credibility
- wēi威fèng凤yī一yǔ羽a glimpse of excellence
- wēi威fèng凤piàn片yǔ羽a rare glimpse of excellence
- wēi威fèng凤xiáng祥lín麟rare talent appearing in prosperous times
- wēi威xíng刑sù肃wù物Maintain order through strict laws and severe penalties
- wēi威zūn尊mìng命jiàn贱Authority is revered, life is cheap
- wēi威zhèn振tiān天xià下Power and renown command universal awe
- wēi威wàng望sù素zhe着always having high prestige
- wēi威wàng望sù素zhù著long-established and widely recognized prestige
- wēi威wǔ武bù不néng能qū屈Unyielding to force or intimidation
- wēi威wǔ武bù不néng能qū屈，，pín贫jiàn贱bù不néng能yí移unyielding to power, unswayed by poverty
Questions about 威武不屈
- What does 威武不屈 mean?
- 威武不屈 (wēi wǔ bù qū) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be unyielding to force or intimidation”.
- How do you pronounce 威武不屈?
- 威武不屈 is pronounced wēi wǔ bù qū in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 威武不屈 literally mean?
- Literally, 威武不屈 means “Unyielding to power and might”. It is used to mean “to be unyielding to force or intimidation”.
- Where does 威武不屈 come from?
- 威武不屈 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 威武不屈?
- 威武：权势，武力；屈：屈服。强暴的压力不能使之屈服。表示坚贞顽强。