一言丧邦 — “Refers to how a single careless or unwise remark”

一言丧邦 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to how a single careless or unwise remark”. Especially from someone in a position of authority or influence, can lead to severe negative consequences, potentially causing the downfall or ruin of an entire endeavor, organization, or situation. Literally, “One word ruins a state”.

Frequency

一言丧邦 Pronunciation and Pinyin

一言丧邦 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
一	yī	1	one, a, single, whole
言	yán	7	speak, say, words
丧	sàng	8	lose, mourn, funeral
邦	bāng	7	nation, state, country

Example Sentence with 一言丧邦

在关键时刻，他的那句玩笑话瞬间让整个谈判陷入僵局，真是应了一言丧邦的警示。

At the critical moment, his casual joke instantly brought the entire negotiation to a standstill, truly serving as a warning that one word can ruin everything.

Origin and Story of 一言丧邦

During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Ding of Lu asked Confucius, "Can a single word make a realm prosper?" Confucius replied, "If a ruler cherishes his officials, cares for them, and all are united, then the realm can flourish."

Duke Ding then asked, "Can a single word cause a realm's downfall?" Confucius said, "Not entirely. However, if a ruler speaks and his subordinates dare not voice opposing opinions, and this continues for a long time, it will eventually lead to ruin."