







悲歌击筑 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to sing a sorrowful and stirring song while playing the zhú (a stringed instrument), used to describe a tragic, solemn, and poignant atmosphere, often associated with heroic farewells or sacrifices”. Literally, “Sing a tragic song and play the zhu”.
Towards the end of the Warring States period, Crown Prince Dan of Yan, having escaped from Qin, sought out valiant individuals Jing Ke and Gao Jianli. He entrusted them with the mission to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin.
Once all preparations were complete, Crown Prince Dan led his entourage, dressed in white, to bid them farewell by the Yi River. Gao Jianli played the zhú, and Jing Ke sang loudly, "The wind sighs mournfully by the cold Yi River, a hero departs, never to return!" The group shed tears as they parted.

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Open the tool →悲歌击筑 (bēi gē jī zhù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to sing a sorrowful and stirring song while playing the zhú (a stringed instrument), used to describe a tragic, solemn, and poignant atmosphere, often associated with heroic farewells or sacrifices”.
悲歌击筑 is pronounced bēi gē jī zhù in Mandarin Chinese.
Literally, 悲歌击筑 means “Sing a tragic song and play the zhu”. It is used to mean “to sing a sorrowful and stirring song while playing the zhú (a stringed instrument), used to describe a tragic, solemn, and poignant atmosphere, often associated with heroic farewells or sacrifices”.
悲歌击筑 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
以之为典,抒写悲壮苍凉的气氛。