众志成城
众志成城 (zhòng zhì chéng chéng) literally means “many wills make wall” and expresses “unity creates strength”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Unity creates strength
Pronunciation: zhòng zhì chéng chéng
Literal meaning: Many wills make wall
Origin & Usage
This architectural metaphor shows how many wills (众志) can form an impenetrable wall (城), drawing from ancient Chinese defensive architecture. It gained significance during the Warring States period when city walls required massive coordinated effort to construct and defend. Historical records detail how communities united to build city walls in record time when facing invasion. The idiom emphasizes how collective determination creates strong defenses. Modern usage extends to team efforts and community initiatives, highlighting how unity and shared purpose can overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
Examples
English: "The community's united effort successfully prevented the development project"
Chinese: 社区齐心协力成功阻止了开发项目
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 众志成城 mean in English?
众志成城 (zhòng zhì chéng chéng) literally translates to “Many wills make wall” and is used to express “Unity creates strength”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 众志成城 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving unity creates strength.
What is the pinyin for 众志成城?
The pinyin pronunciation for 众志成城 is “zhòng zhì chéng chéng”.