金戈铁马
金戈铁马 (jīn gē tiě mǎ) literally means “gold spears iron horses” and expresses “magnificent military might and valor”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: jin ge tie ma, jin ge tie ma,金戈铁马 meaning, 金戈铁马 in english
Magnificent military might and valor
Pronunciation: jīn gē tiě mǎ Literal meaning: Gold spears iron horses
Origin & Usage
This martial idiom paints a scene of golden (金) spears (戈) and iron (铁) horses (马), first appearing in Li Bai's famous Tang Dynasty poetry describing frontier warfare. The phrase captured both the visual brilliance of bronze weapons and the thundering power of cavalry forces. During the Song Dynasty, as China faced nomadic invasions, it gained broader significance as a symbol of national defense and martial glory. The contrasting metals - precious gold and sturdy iron - created a perfect metaphor for military might combining elite weaponry with powerful mobility. Modern usage spans from historical epics to competitive business strategies, describing approaches that combine precision with overwhelming force.
Examples
English: "The historical film vividly portrayed the grandeur and might of ancient military campaigns"
Chinese: 这部历史电影生动地描绘了古代军事征战的宏伟和威力
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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鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 金戈铁马 mean in English?
金戈铁马 (jīn gē tiě mǎ) literally translates to “Gold spears iron horses” and is used to express “Magnificent military might and valor”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 金戈铁马 used?
Situation: The historical film vividly portrayed the grandeur and might of ancient military campaigns
What is the pinyin for 金戈铁马?
The pinyin pronunciation for 金戈铁马 is “jīn gē tiě mǎ”.
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