尔虞我诈

Pronunciation: ěr yú wǒ zhà Literal meaning: You deceive, I trick

Origin & Usage

The idiom 尔虞我诈 (ěr yú wǒ zhà) originates from the historical text 《左传》 (Zuo Zhuan), specifically during the Spring and Autumn period. It recounts a story involving the states of Chu and Song. As Chu besieged Song, the Song general Hua Yuan negotiated with the Chu general Zifan, leading to a temporary truce. The phrase '我无尔诈，尔无我虞' was part of their agreement, meaning 'I will not deceive you, and you will not deceive me.' The idiom captures the essence of mutual deceit and cunning in relationships. In modern usage, it describes situations where both parties engage in trickery and manipulation, highlighting the complexities of human interactions.

Examples

English: "In the world of politics, it often feels like everyone is engaged in mutual deception."

Chinese: 在政治界，尔虞我诈的现象屡见不鲜。