临危不惧

临危不惧 (lín wēi bù jù) literally means “face danger without fear” and expresses “courage under pressure”. 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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Courage under pressure

Pronunciation: lín wēi bù jù
Literal meaning: Face danger without fear

Origin & Usage

This idiom describes facing (临) danger (危) without (不) fear (惧), originating from accounts of general Yue Fei's courage during the Southern Song Dynasty. Historical chronicles record how Yue maintained composure under extreme battlefield conditions, inspiring his troops to victory against superior forces. The phrase gained wider circulation through Ming Dynasty military texts that analyzed psychological factors in warfare. Unlike reckless bravery, it describes clear-headed courage that assesses risks while remaining steadfast. Modern usage honors professionals who perform under pressure - from emergency responders to crisis managers - emphasizing that true courage acknowledges fear but isn't paralyzed by it.

Examples

English: "The firefighter rushed into the burning building without hesitation"

Chinese: 消防员毫不犹豫地冲进了燃烧的大楼


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 临危不惧 mean in English?

临危不惧 (lín wēi bù jù) literally translates to “Face danger without fear” and is used to express “Courage under pressure”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.

When is 临危不惧 used?

Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving courage under pressure.

What is the pinyin for 临危不惧?

The pinyin pronunciation for 临危不惧 is “lín wēi bù jù”.