两虎相争
两虎相争 (liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng) literally means “two tigers fight” and expresses “fierce competition between equals”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: liang hu xiang zheng, liang hu xiang zheng,两虎相争 meaning, 两虎相争 in english
Fierce competition between equals
Pronunciation: liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng
Literal meaning: Two tigers fight
Origin & Usage
The image of two (两) tigers (虎) fighting (相争) comes from ancient observations of territorial conflicts, documented in early Chinese zoological texts. The original context appears in strategic texts discussing how such conflicts inevitably result in injury to both parties. The phrase gained prominence during the Warring States period as a metaphor for mutually destructive conflict between powerful states. Contemporary usage warns against destructive competition, particularly in business or politics, where fierce rivalry can damage both parties while benefiting opportunistic observers.
Examples
English: "When the two star players fought for team leadership, it damaged team morale and performance"
Chinese: 当两位明星球员争夺队伍领导权时，损害了团队士气和表现
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To lose everything; complete failure
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Essentially the same with minor differences
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jiǔ niú yī máo
A drop in the bucket; negligible amount
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Explode in extreme anger or rage
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 两虎相争 mean in English?
两虎相争 (liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng) literally translates to “Two tigers fight” and is used to express “Fierce competition between equals”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 两虎相争 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving fierce competition between equals.
What is the pinyin for 两虎相争?
The pinyin pronunciation for 两虎相争 is “liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng”.