赴汤蹈火
赴汤蹈火 (fù tāng dǎo huǒ) literally means “go into boiling water step on fire” and expresses “go through fire and water; brave any danger”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: fu tang dao huo, fu tang dao huo,赴汤蹈火 meaning, 赴汤蹈火 in english
Go through fire and water; brave any danger
Pronunciation: fù tāng dǎo huǒ
Literal meaning: Go into boiling water step on fire
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes going into (赴) boiling water (汤) and stepping on (蹈) fire (火). It represents willingness to face extreme danger or hardship. The phrase appeared in ancient texts describing loyal subjects who would risk death for their lords. It embodies the highest form of commitment and courage. Modern usage expresses willingness to make extreme sacrifices for important causes, loved ones, or deeply held beliefs.
Examples
English: "He would go through fire and water for his family."
Chinese: 为了家人，他愿意赴汤蹈火。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 赴汤蹈火 mean in English?
赴汤蹈火 (fù tāng dǎo huǒ) literally translates to “Go into boiling water step on fire” and is used to express “Go through fire and water; brave any danger”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 赴汤蹈火 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving go through fire and water; brave any danger.
What is the pinyin for 赴汤蹈火?
The pinyin pronunciation for 赴汤蹈火 is “fù tāng dǎo huǒ”.