举重若轻
举重若轻 (jǔ zhòng ruò qīng) literally means “lift heavy as light” and expresses “make difficult look easy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Make difficult look easy
Pronunciation: jǔ zhòng ruò qīng
Literal meaning: Lift heavy as light
Origin & Usage
This idiom reflects a masterful approach to difficult tasks, where lifting (举) something heavy (重) appears (若) as effortless as something light (轻). It originates from Daoist philosophy, particularly Zhuangzi's writings on the concept of effortless action (无为). The image of a skilled practitioner making challenging feats seem easy was often used to describe both physical and mental mastery. In traditional martial arts, it exemplified the highest level of skill where power is achieved through technique rather than brute force. Modern usage extends to any situation where expertise allows complex challenges to be handled with apparent ease - from diplomatic negotiations to artistic performances.
Examples
English: "The senior diplomat handled the crisis with apparent ease"
Chinese: 资深外交官从容应对危机
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 举重若轻 mean in English?
举重若轻 (jǔ zhòng ruò qīng) literally translates to “Lift heavy as light” and is used to express “Make difficult look easy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 举重若轻 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving make difficult look easy.
What is the pinyin for 举重若轻?
The pinyin pronunciation for 举重若轻 is “jǔ zhòng ruò qīng”.