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.
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
To go into (赴) scalding water (汤) and tread (蹈) on fire (火). 汤 is boiling liquid rather than soup, as it is throughout classical Chinese, and the two elements are the standard pair of unsurvivable things. What is asserted is not bravery in the face of risk but willingness where the outcome is not in doubt. Declarations of loyalty and thanks carry it — 为你赴汤蹈火, I would go through fire for you — and it is hyperbole that both parties understand as hyperbole.
Examples
English: "He would go through fire and water for his family."
Chinese: 为了家人，他愿意赴汤蹈火。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
飞蛾扑火
fēi é pū huǒ
Be irresistibly drawn toward self-destruction
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抱薪救火
bào xīn jiù huǒ
Make situation worse
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引火烧身
yǐn huǒ shāo shēn
Bring trouble upon oneself
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隔岸观火
gé àn guān huǒ
Observe troubles from safe distance
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洞若观火
dòng ruò guān huǒ
Understand with absolute clarity
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城门失火
chéng mén shī huǒ
Innocent bystanders suffer from others' problems
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火冒三丈
huǒ mào sān zhàng
Explode in extreme anger or rage
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炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Highest level of mastery; consummate skill
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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: He would go through fire and water for his family.
What is the pinyin for 赴汤蹈火?
The pinyin pronunciation for 赴汤蹈火 is “fù tāng dǎo huǒ”.