鹬蚌相争
鹬蚌相争 (yù bàng xiāng zhēng) literally means “snipe clam mutual fight” and expresses “mutual conflict benefits third party”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: yu bang xiang zheng, yu bang xiang zheng,鹬蚌相争 meaning, 鹬蚌相争 in english
Mutual conflict benefits third party
Pronunciation: yù bàng xiāng zhēng Literal meaning: Snipe clam mutual fight
Origin & Usage
This cautionary tale depicts a snipe (鹬) and clam (蚌) in mutual (相) combat (争), originating from the 'Strategies of the Warring States' around 300 BCE. During the Han Dynasty, political advisors frequently cited it to warn rulers about the dangers of becoming obsessed with immediate opponents while ignoring larger threats. The animal imagery resonated deeply in Chinese strategic thought, where natural behaviors often illustrated human folly. Modern usage spans from business competition to international relations, warning how mutual antagonism can blind opponents to emerging threats.
Examples
English: "While the two companies were locked in legal battles, a third competitor captured their market share"
Chinese: 当这两家公司陷入法律战时，第三个竞争对手占领了他们的市场份额
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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金戈铁马
jīn gē tiě mǎ
Magnificent military might and valor
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鹬蚌相争 mean in English?
鹬蚌相争 (yù bàng xiāng zhēng) literally translates to “Snipe clam mutual fight” and is used to express “Mutual conflict benefits third party”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 鹬蚌相争 used?
Situation: While the two companies were locked in legal battles, a third competitor captured their market share
What is the pinyin for 鹬蚌相争?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鹬蚌相争 is “yù bàng xiāng zhēng”.
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