安如泰山
安如泰山 (ān rú tài shān) literally means “stable like mount tai” and expresses “absolutely stable and unshakable”. 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: an ru tai shan, an ru tai shan,安如泰山 meaning, 安如泰山 in english
Absolutely stable and unshakable
Pronunciation: ān rú tài shān Literal meaning: Stable like Mount Tai
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Han Dynasty political discourse about dynastic security, first appearing in imperial edicts describing the desired permanence of imperial rule. During the Tang Dynasty, it extended beyond political contexts to describe any unshakable entity. The comparison of being stable (安) like (如) Mount Tai (泰山), China's most revered mountain, was particularly powerful as Mount Tai represented China's most sacred peak, symbol of permanence and divine authority. Unlike terms simply meaning 'stable,' it specifically invokes both physical impregnability and spiritual significance. Modern usage spans financial institutions to emotional resilience, describing entities so fundamentally stable they remain unmoved by forces that would destabilize others, particularly when reputation for reliability becomes self-reinforcing through demonstrated consistency during challenging circumstances.
When to Use
Situation: Even during the financial crisis, the company's position remained rock-solid
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 安如泰山 mean in English?
安如泰山 (ān rú tài shān) literally translates to “Stable like Mount Tai” and is used to express “Absolutely stable and unshakable”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 安如泰山 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving absolutely stable and unshakable.
What is the pinyin for 安如泰山?
The pinyin pronunciation for 安如泰山 is “ān rú tài shān”.