胆大心细
胆大心细 (dǎn dà xīn xì) literally means “bold gallbladder, careful heart” and expresses “courage balanced with careful attention”. 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 balanced with careful attention
Pronunciation: dǎn dà xīn xì
Literal meaning: Bold gallbladder, careful heart
Origin & Usage
This balanced idiom pairs a large gallbladder (胆大, representing courage) with a fine/careful heart (心细), originating from Ming Dynasty military manuals. Traditional Chinese medicine associated the gallbladder with courage and decision-making, while the heart governed careful thinking. The combination described the ideal military commander who could make bold decisions while attending to crucial details. During the Qing Dynasty, it expanded beyond military contexts to describe the optimal approach to any challenging enterprise. Modern usage describes the powerful combination of courage with caution, particularly in high-stakes situations where both boldness and precision prove necessary for success, suggesting that true effectiveness often requires seemingly contradictory qualities in perfect balance.
When to Use
Situation: The firefighter showed both courage and meticulous attention to safety protocols
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 胆大心细 mean in English?
胆大心细 (dǎn dà xīn xì) literally translates to “Bold gallbladder, careful heart” and is used to express “Courage balanced with careful attention”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 胆大心细 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving courage balanced with careful attention.
What is the pinyin for 胆大心细?
The pinyin pronunciation for 胆大心细 is “dǎn dà xīn xì”.