固若金汤
固若金汤 (gù ruò jīn tāng) literally means “solid as metal soup” and expresses “impenetrable defenses”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: gu ruo jin tang, gu ruo jin tang,固若金汤 meaning, 固若金汤 in english
Impenetrable defenses
Pronunciation: gù ruò jīn tāng
Literal meaning: Solid as metal soup
Origin & Usage
This military metaphor describes defenses firm (固) as (若) metal (金) and hot moat water (汤), originating from Han Dynasty fortress construction, where metal gates and boiling water were ultimate defensive measures. The phrase first appeared in military texts describing the ideal fortification combining both passive and active defenses. During the Three Kingdoms period, it gained prominence through descriptions of Zhuge Liang's defensive installations. The specific pairing of metal (immovable, impenetrable) with boiling water (active, dangerous) created a perfect image of comprehensive security. Modern usage describes any system designed with multiple robust protective layers, from cybersecurity protocols to legal agreements.
Examples
English: "The company's cybersecurity defenses were impenetrable to attackers"
Chinese: 公司的网络安全防御对攻击者来说固若金汤
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 固若金汤 mean in English?
固若金汤 (gù ruò jīn tāng) literally translates to “Solid as metal soup” and is used to express “Impenetrable defenses”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 固若金汤 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving impenetrable defenses.
What is the pinyin for 固若金汤?
The pinyin pronunciation for 固若金汤 is “gù ruò jīn tāng”.