逼上梁山
逼上梁山 (bī shàng liáng shān) literally means “forced onto liangshan mountain” and expresses “compelled to rebel”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: bi shang liang shan, bi shang liang shan,逼上梁山 meaning, 逼上梁山 in english
Compelled to rebel
Pronunciation: bī shàng liáng shān Literal meaning: Forced onto Liangshan Mountain
Origin & Usage
The idiom 逼上梁山 (bī shàng liáng shān) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature and refers to being forced into a situation where one must take a stand or join a rebellion. The phrase literally means 'forced onto Liangshan Mountain,' and it originates from the classic Chinese novel 'Water Margin' (水浒传), attributed to Shi Nai'an. In the story, Liangshan Mountain is the stronghold of a group of outlaws who rebel against corrupt officials during the Song Dynasty. The idiom captures the essence of being pushed by circumstances to join a cause or take drastic action. In modern usage, it describes situations where individuals are compelled to take a stand or make a significant change due to external pressures.
Examples
English: "He felt he had no choice but to rebel against the system, much like those who were forced onto Liangshan."
Chinese: 他觉得自己别无选择，只能像被逼上梁山的人一样反抗体制。
Related Chinese Idioms
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yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 逼上梁山 mean in English?
逼上梁山 (bī shàng liáng shān) literally translates to “Forced onto Liangshan Mountain” and is used to express “Compelled to rebel”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 逼上梁山 used?
Situation: He felt he had no choice but to rebel against the system, much like those who were forced onto Liangshan.
What is the pinyin for 逼上梁山?
The pinyin pronunciation for 逼上梁山 is “bī shàng liáng shān”.