插翅难飞
插翅难飞 (chā chì nán fēi) literally means “add wings difficult fly” and expresses “utterly impossible to escape”. 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: cha chi nan fei, cha chi nan fei,插翅难飞 meaning, 插翅难飞 in english
Utterly impossible to escape
Pronunciation: chā chì nán fēi
Literal meaning: Add wings difficult fly
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom suggests that even adding (插) wings (翅) wouldn't make escape possible (难飞), originating from Tang Dynasty prison terminology. Historical records describe how imperial prisons were designed so securely that the metaphorical addition of wings wouldn't enable flight. The phrase gained wider circulation during the Song Dynasty, appearing in official communications about apprehending serious offenders. The imagery was particularly powerful as wings represented the ultimate freedom in Chinese poetry. Modern usage describes inescapable situations of all kinds, from legal predicaments to business commitments with no exit clauses, emphasizing how certain circumstances remain binding despite extraordinary efforts to escape them.
Examples
English: "The criminal found escape impossible despite elaborate plans"
Chinese: 尽管有精心策划，罪犯发现逃脱是不可能的
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 插翅难飞 mean in English?
插翅难飞 (chā chì nán fēi) literally translates to “Add wings difficult fly” and is used to express “Utterly impossible to escape”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 插翅难飞 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving utterly impossible to escape.
What is the pinyin for 插翅难飞?
The pinyin pronunciation for 插翅难飞 is “chā chì nán fēi”.