处堂燕雀 — “To be complacent and oblivious to an impending disaster or danger”
处堂燕雀 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be complacent and oblivious to an impending disaster or danger”. Like swallows nesting in a house that is about to catch fire. Literally, “Swallows in a hall”.
处堂燕雀 Pronunciation and Pinyin
处堂燕雀 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 处堂燕雀
Origin and Story of 处堂燕雀
During the late Warring States period, the powerful state of Qin attacked Zhao. Wei, a neighboring state, chose not to intervene, believing it would be to their advantage.
However, Zi Shun, the Prime Minister of Wei, held a different view. He warned that Qin was aggressive by nature and incredibly strong.
He cautioned Wei against living complacently like swallows nesting under the eaves of a house, because if the house were to catch fire, the swallows would have nowhere to roost.
Idioms Related to 处堂燕雀
Synonyms of 处堂燕雀
More idioms starting with 处
- chù处zhī之yí夷rán然handle with equanimity
- chù处zhī之yí怡rán然handle with equanimity
- chù处zhī之yàn晏rán然remain calm in difficult situations
- chǔ处zhī之tài泰rán然remain calm and composed
- chù处zhī之chuò绰rán然handle with calm composure
- chǔ处shì士hèng横yì议recluse scholar making unrestrained comments
- chù处ān安sī思wēi危prepare for danger in times of peace
- chǔ处shí实xiào效gōng功act practically for tangible results
- chǔ处zūn尊jū居xiǎn显hold a high and prominent position
- chǔ处xīn心jī积lǜ虑to meticulously plot over a long period
- chǔ处zhì置shī失dàng当handle improperly
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Open the tool →Questions about 处堂燕雀
What does 处堂燕雀 mean?
处堂燕雀 (chù táng yàn què) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be complacent and oblivious to an impending disaster or danger”.
How do you pronounce 处堂燕雀?
处堂燕雀 is pronounced chù táng yàn què in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 处堂燕雀 literally mean?
Literally, 处堂燕雀 means “Swallows in a hall”. It is used to mean “to be complacent and oblivious to an impending disaster or danger”.
Where does 处堂燕雀 come from?
处堂燕雀 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 处堂燕雀?
比喻生活安定而失去警惕性。也比喻大祸临头而自己不知道。