肝脑涂地
肝脑涂地 (gān nǎo tú dì) literally means “livers and brains smeared” and expresses “ultimate sacrifice”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: gan nao tu di, gan nao tu di,肝脑涂地 meaning, 肝脑涂地 in english
Ultimate sacrifice
Pronunciation: gān nǎo tú dì Literal meaning: Livers and brains smeared
Origin & Usage
The idiom 肝脑涂地 (gān nǎo tú dì) originates from the historical text 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记) by Sima Qian (司马迁). It describes the aftermath of numerous battles during the rise of Liu Bang (刘邦), the founder of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang's advisor, Lou Jing (娄敬), urged him to move the capital to Guanzhong, citing the devastation of war where people's 'livers and brains' (肝, liver; 脑, brain) were 'smeared on the ground' (涂地, smeared on the ground). This vivid imagery highlights the extreme sacrifices made during warfare. In modern usage, the idiom conveys a sense of unwavering loyalty and willingness to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for a cause or relationship.
Examples
English: "He was willing to sacrifice everything for his friends, showing his true loyalty."
Chinese: 为了朋友，他甘愿肝脑涂地，表现出真正的忠诚。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 肝脑涂地 mean in English?
肝脑涂地 (gān nǎo tú dì) literally translates to “Livers and brains smeared” and is used to express “Ultimate sacrifice”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 肝脑涂地 used?
Situation: He was willing to sacrifice everything for his friends, showing his true loyalty.
What is the pinyin for 肝脑涂地?
The pinyin pronunciation for 肝脑涂地 is “gān nǎo tú dì”.