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
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
万无一失
wàn wú yī shī
Absolutely sure; foolproof
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一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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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”.